OREANDA-NEWS. The U.S. Air Force awarded Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) a $90 million first-lot production contract for the next-generation Multi-Spectral Targeting System. The AN/DAS-4, the latest variant of the MTS™ family of sensors, incorporates greater fire control and Target Location Accuracy technology for precise coordinates.

The U.S. Air Force has awarded Raytheon a first-lot production contract for the AN/DAS-4 EO/IR Turret, shown here deployed on the MQ-9 Reaper.

Combat-proven, with nearly three million operational flight hours, MTS sensors provide detailed intelligence data from the visual and infrared spectra. The new MTS variant allows mission commanders to use high definition data from an airborne tactical sensor to identify and engage targets with much greater accuracy, significantly improving overall mission effectiveness.

The DAS-4 incorporates other major improvements, including: four high definition cameras covering five spectral bands; a three-color diode pump laser designator/rangefinder; laser spot search and track capability; automated sensor and laser bore sight alignment; three mode target tracker; and built in provisions for future growth.

"These next generation capabilities give our warfighters an unfair advantage through more effective assessment of threats and engagement of targets," said Fred Darlington, vice president of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Systems at Raytheon's Space and Airborne Systems.

Raytheon has delivered more than 3,000 MTS systems on a wide range of platforms, including: remotely piloted aircraft, helicopters and fixed-wing Aircraft. MTS delivers superior performance and reliability at the lowest life-cycle cost.

About Raytheon
Raytheon Company, with 2015 sales of $23 billion and 61,000 employees, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, civil government and cybersecurity solutions. With a history of innovation spanning 94 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration, C5I™ products and services, sensing, effects, and mission support for customers in more than 80 countries. Raytheon is headquartered in Waltham, Mass.