$49M IBAS Makes Bradleys More Lethal
The Ground Systems Division of United Defense Industries Inc. (sale pending to BAE) has given DRS Technologies Inc. a $49 million contract to provide improved tactical systems for the U.S. Army’s M2A3 and M3A3 Bradley Fighting Vehicles.
The Improved Bradley Acquisition Subsystem (IBAS) provides a significant improvement over the Bradley Fighting Vehicle’s current TOW 2 target acquisition and fire control subsystem.
Parsippany, NJ-based DRS said its system will help gunners in the Bradley vehicles spot, identify and fire on targets at much greater distances. Seeing targets sooner, even in dust storms or at night, will improve survivability, while targeting enhancements make the Bradley more effective against other armored vehicles and even helicopters. DRS Technologies’ optronics unit in Palm Bay, FL will do the work on this contract, with deliveries expected to begin an October 2005.
On a technical level, IBAS includes the Target Acquisition Subsystem (TAS) and Missile Control Subsystem (MCS). This order also will include the new U.S. Army Block 1 B-Kit – a Second Generation Forward Looking Infrared (SG FLIR) thermal imaging system developed as part of the Army’s Horizontal Technology Integration (HTI) initiative. It uses Standard Advanced Dewar Assembly (SADA) II technology. As part of the HTI program, it is also embedded in M1A2 Abrams SEP tanks as part of its GEN II TIS, creating a common set of optics and performance across the Army’s upgraded vehicles.
The upgraded TAS and MCS consist of HTI’s SG FLIR mentioned above, as well as day television, direct-view optics, automatic dual target tracking, an eye-safe laser range finder and a two-axis stabilized head mirror. Together, the Bradley’s eye-safe laser range finder and automatic dual-target tracker provide allow the Bradley’s 25mm gun to fire while on the move and maintain its accuracy.
See also DRS news release.
