Article Posted on : - Jun 21, 2011

ACES HY is a unique sensor system that will be placed on an MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft system. Photo: Raytheon

PARIS (BNS): Raytheon has begun the production of the first airborne tactical hyperspectral sensor system for US Air force, the company announced Monday.

The Airborne Cueing and Exploitation System Hyperspectral, also known as ACES HY, is an infrared sensor system developed to identify targets based on their spectral characteristics.

In September 2010, Raytheon worked with the US Air Force to successfully complete flight testing of ACES HY on a manned Twin Otter aircraft used as a surrogate for the MQ-1 Predator unmanned system.

"A solid partnership with the US Air Force enabled rapid development and fielding of this hyperspectral system," Tim Carey, vice president, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Systems for Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems, said.

The ACES HY Programme is managed by the US Air Force Aeronautical Systems Center at Wright Patterson Air Force Base.