$19.7M for .50 cal Thermal Sights on USMC Tanks
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Raytheon Co. in McKinney, TX received $19.6 million for firm-fixed-price delivery order under previously awarded contract for the production of Army and Marine Corps .50 cal thermal sight/day TV systems, and option CLINs for associated technical and engineering support. Work will be performed in McKinney, Texas, and is expected to be completed in June 2009. This contract was awarded as a result of a full and open competitive solicitation by the Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, VA.
Stars and Stripes recently noted that Marines in Iraq are slated to get thermal sights for .50 caliber machine guns mounted on M1 Abrams tanks, and this would appear to be that contract. The Army is also partner in this and has an option to buy systems, which greatly improve the usefulness of .50 caliber weapons in twilight and evening scenarios, and in long-range surveillance overwatch.
