Lockheed Martin is to upgrade a target acquisition and vision sensor aboard U.S. Army AH-64E Apache helicopters, the company announced.

The upgrade to the Modernized Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor, or M-TADS/PNVS on the AH-64E was commissioned by the Army under a $49 million contract.

"M-DSA gives Apache aircrews the ability to more rapidly identify targets and coordinate with troops on the ground, which improves mission success," said Tom Eldredge, director of M-TADS/PNVS production programs at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control.

"M-DSA's modular design reduces operation and support costs, and will be supported by our award-winning Performance-Based Logistics sustainment program."

Lockheed Martin said that under the award it will produce an additional 42 Modernized Day Sensor Assembly upgrade kits and spares for the U.S. Army as part of Lot 1 production at two of its facilities in Florida.

The upgrade will allow pilots to identify targets at greater distances and view high-resolution, near-infrared and color imagery on cockpit displays.

The sensor system also features a new laser pointer marker.

Royal Thai Air Force orders two Airbus helicopters
Marignane, France (UPI) Oct 4, 2016 - The Royal Thai Air Force has ordered two additional Caracal multi-role utility helicopters from Airbus Helicopters, the company announced Tuesday.

The acquisition is the latest phase of the service's fleet-strengthening program that began in 2012, Airbus Helicopters said in a statement.

The two new helicopters will join the existing fleet and are expected to be delivered in 2019.

The helicopters are specially equipped with fast roping, cargo sling, search light and electro-optical systems to perform combat search and rescue missions, search and rescue flights, troop transport and other missions.

Two Caracals ordered in 2014 are slated to be delivered later this year.

The 11-ton, twin-engine helicopter includes a four-axis autopilot and is a member of the Super Puma/Cougar family of military helicopters, more than 500 of which have been delivered to armed forces worldwide.

Quantum Imaging gets Multi-spectral Targeting System contract
Washington (UPI) Oct 4, 2016 - Quantum Imaging has been awarded a $8 million U.S. Navy contract for the Multi-spectral Targeting System array of military aircraft cameras.

The firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract with a five-year ordering period covers short-wave infrared camera assemblies, visible-near infrared camera, low-light scientific complementary metal-oxide semiconductor camera, repairs and provisioning item order spare parts for the system.

The cameras are part of the supplies required for the replacement and sustainment of the Multi-spectral Targeting System configurations that support Navy, Army and Air Force aircraft.

These systems provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, detection, identification and targeting capability in day and night operations for manned and unmanned platforms.

Work will be performed in Colorado and has an expected completion date of September 2021.

The Naval Surface Warfare Center is the contracting entity.