US Army To Deploy Lockheed Martin Persistent Threat Detection Systems

A Tethered aerostat surveillance system. Credit: Lockheed Martin.

by Staff Writers
Akron OH (SPX) Nov 30, 2006
The U.S. Army has awarded Lockheed Martin a $77.5 million contract to provide additional tethered aerostat surveillance systems for deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. The Persistent Threat Detection Systems (PTDS) are equipped with multi-mission sensors to provide continuous surveillance, detection and communications in support of coalition forces.

Lockheed Martin will assemble and test the integrated aerostats, sensors, ground stations and mooring systems at its Defense and Surveillance Systems facility in Akron. When deployed, the PTDS will be operated and maintained by Lockheed Martin Technical Operations headquartered in Colorado Springs, CO. The Army's Program Executive Office for Intelligence, Electronic Warfare and Sensors, Project Manager for Night Vision, Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition, and Product Manager for Robotic and Unmanned Sensors will provide program and acquisition management.

Lockheed Martin delivered its first PTDS unit to the Army in 2004. Delivery of the new systems will commence within the next several months.

"Aerostat surveillance systems give the Army the reliable and constant information and intelligence collection capability vital to protecting deployed personnel and high-value assets," said Ron Browning, Lockheed Martin airship business development director. "Our team is committed to completing the PTDS production and integration to field the systems as quickly as possible."

Aerostats and other lighter-than-air systems provide low-cost, long-endurance communications and surveillance capabilities not possible with other types of air vehicles. Attached by a high-strength tether to a re-locatable mooring system, aerostats may carry different types of surveillance equipment to conduct multiple missions. They are filled with helium and stay airborne around-the-clock. Lockheed Martin has delivered 8,000 aerostats for military and commercial uses.

MILTECH

Raytheon Completes Extended-Range Test For Excalibur Block Ia-2

Tucson AZ (SPX) Nov 30, 2006
Raytheon's Missile Systems business and BAE Systems-Bofors successfully fired the first extended-range GPS-guided Excalibur projectiles at Yuma Proving Ground, Ariz., last month. Excalibur is the next-generation family of projectiles for U.S. Army and Marine Corps artillery.

SUPERPOWERS Russia Slams US And NATO Intentions In Europe US Dominance Of Mideast Ends A Gangster State Fighting An Asymmetrical Chinese War Machine	NUKEWARS US,Korea Meetings Fail To Yield Results As China, Japan Discuss Defense North Korea Policy Options Iran Must Suspend Enrichment Before Talks With US Says Bush UN Nuclear Probe Of Iran Hampered By Blind Spots
MISSILE NEWS Pakistan Test Fires Nuclear-Capable Missile Raytheon Awarded Contract For Missile Launcher Production Missiles, Missiles Everywhere Raytheon HARM Variant Hits Target Without Radar Guidance	MISSILE DEFENSE Aegis Missile Defense Fleet Tops 80 Ships India Says First Missile Intercept Test A Success Israel Seeks New Technology To Shoot Down Rockets From Gaza The Geopolitics Of Japan's BMD
AEROSPACE DLR And EUROCONTROL Create Joint Total Airport Management Concept Aviation Industry Alarmed At New EU Emission Rules Technologies Evaluated For The Future National Airspace System Silent Aircraft Readies For Take-Off	UAV NEWS Beale AFB Gets New Global Hawk QinetiQ World First Flight Demo Of Multiple UAV System Boeing Demonstrates UAV Automated Aerial Refueling Capability Sagem Defense Securite To Conduct Study For DGA On Future Joint Tactical UAVs
IRAQ WARS Saudi Worst Nightmare Preventing Genocide In Iraq More US Troops To Help Garrison Baghdad Enter The Saudis	MILTECH Raytheon Completes Extended-Range Test For Excalibur Block Ia-2 US Army To Deploy Lockheed Martin Persistent Threat Detection Systems Aerial Combat: US Pilots Practiced Against MiGs Boeing Signs Contract For Korea's EX Airborne Early Warning And Control Program

The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2006 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA PortalReports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additionalcopyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement