Northrop Grumman has launched its Fourth Generation Tracking Adjunct Sensor (4G TAS), the latest upgrade to the company's range of high-resolution electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensors for the Hawk air defense system.

Northrop Grumman's 4G TAS, the only approved EO/IR upgrade available to Hawk customers worldwide, detects and tracks low, fast targets both day and night and passes them to the Hawk's fire control radar.

"With the launch of 4G TAS, Northrop Grumman brings powerful and sustainable new capabilities to operators of the Hawk system," said Jim Mocarski, vice president of airborne tactical sensors at Northrop Grumman. "We continue to invest in sensors for the Hawk and will support our customers worldwide with these upgrades to help them maintain their national security."

Northrop Grumman's upgrades to the baseline configuration include a new 640 x 480 pixel infrared sensor that will more than double the resolution of the current system. The upgrade will also include a new charged-coupled device camera that will increase resolution and enhance operation in low-light environments.

The upgrades also include more reliable and sustainable electronics to ensure continued logistics support for the system. All existing TAS, Improved TAS and Advanced Infrared TAS systems can be upgraded to the 4G TAS configuration.

The 4G TAS is a gimbaled, stabilized, high-resolution sensor system that provides passive EO/IR searching, tracking, launch and pass-off capability for the Hawk air defense system. It can provide threat assessment and identification beyond visual range, providing real-time situational awareness. The Hawk and TAS sensors are in operation throughout the world.