Article Posted on : - Jun 30, 2011

Persistent Threat Detection Systems (PTDS).

AKRON, OHIO (BNS): US Army has awarded a $184.3 million contract to Lockheed Martin for the production of 29 additional Persistent Threat Detection Systems (PTDS) to support coalition forces in Afghanistan.

In 2010, Lockheed Martin had delivered 28 PTDS for use in theater, bringing the total number of systems provided to the US Army to 37.

PTDS is a highly effective, combat-proven, aerostat-based intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and communications system in support of force-protection and counter-IED (improvised explosive devices) missions.

"Over the past several years, the Department of Defence has placed an increased emphasis on delivering affordable intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities to the war-fighter," Colleen Arthur, director of Lockheed Martin’s Integrated Defence Technologies business, said.

Since 2004, the system is providing around-the-clock coverage of broad geographic areas for weeks at a time with multi-mission sensors.