$125.3M for USN/USMC Brite Star II Turrets
Oct 05, 2008 14:59 UTC
FLIR Systems Inc. in Wilsonville, OR received a $125.3 million firm-fixed-price, indefinite delivery contract for its AN/AAQ-22E BRITE STAR Block II sensor and targeting turret. The initial delivery order from the Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division in Crane, IN is for $67.3 million. The complete contract for the USMC and Navy involves 116 NTIS AN/AAQ-22E BRITE STAR II turrets, 25 upgrades of AAQ-22D turrets to the AAQ-E configuration, non-warranty repairs of AAQ-22 C-E BRITE STAR turrets, and associated data and training.
Work will be performed in Wilsonville, OR and deliveries for the initial $67.3 million order are expected to run from early 2009 – early 2011; the entire contract is expected to be complete by October 2013. Contract funds in the amount of $9.3 million expired at the end of FY 2008 (Sept 30/08). This contract was not competitively procured, as the BRITE STAR II has already been selected for the platforms that use it (N00164-08-D-JQ40). See also FLIR Systems release.
The AN/AAQ-22E BRITE STAR II surveillance and targeting turret combines color optical imagery and an Improved Navigational Thermal Imaging System (NTIS) with magnification up to 97x, providing longer range day and night surveillance. It also packs a Nd:YAG designation and targeting laser with a range of up to 10 km/ 6 miles. In the United States, has been selected for the Army’s new ARH-70 Arapaho scout helicopter and the joint Army/Navy MQ-8B Fire Scout helicopter UAV. The Marines are fielding BRITE STAR turrets on their UH-1N Hueys, and their successor the UH-1Y Venom scout and utility helicopter will use BRITE STAR II turrets as standard equipment.
