New Hand-held Device Identifies Targets Three Miles AwayAugust 13, 2009
 BAE Systems announced it will equip the U.S. Army with small, laser target-locator modules (LTLM) – handheld devices that resemble large binoculars – that will allow soldiers to identify a target nearly three miles away in daylight, even if obscured by fog or smoke. The device can locate targets just over half-a-mile away in total darkness. U.K-based BAE has partnered with Vectronix, a Swiss company, to produce and maintain up to 200 such devices per month under a five-year contract worth up to $347 million. Weighing less than 5.5 pounds, the LTLM consists of a direct-view optic system, a night-vision camera derived from the thermal cameras used in BAE Systems’ advanced thermal weapon sights, a laser range finder, a digital compass, and a GPS receiver. This technology would provide an advantage to American soldiers in urban combat situations and fits closely with the Pentagon's shifting focus towards being more prepared to fight insurgencies rather than large-scale wars against other states. The Defense Department continues to turn its acquisition priorities to purchasing smaller weapons and intelligence systems, which allow soldiers to be more mobile and remain as far from harm's way as possible. The new acquisitions include more unmanned aerial and terrestrial vehicles, lighter intelligence gear and more surveillance technologies. At present, soldiers' packs are weighed down with multiple devices for various tasks, like night-vision goggles, global positioning systems and binoculars. The BAE LTLM will integrate these various needs into a single device, according to the company. "These modules will enable soldiers to determine target coordinates quickly, safely, and accurately," said Dan Murray, LTLM program director for BAE Systems in Nashua, N.H. (Copyright© 2005 BAE Systems. All rights reserved) |
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