Article Posted on : - Mar 09, 2011

HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter of the USAF. Photo: US DoD.

EL SEGUNDO, CALIFORNIA (BNS): US Air Force (USAF) has awarded a $42 million contract to Raytheon for additional AN/AAQ-29A forward looking infrared imaging systems for installation on Pave Hawk HH-60G helicopters.

The AN/AAQ-29A systems will replace the AN/AAQ-16 FLIR currently installed on US Air Force HH-60G helicopters.

"These new systems will give our customers the additional capabilities they need to complete critical combat search and rescue missions," Tim Carey, vice president, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Systems, was quoted as saying in the company news release.

Raytheon's AN/AAQ-29A system is a small, lightweight FLIR imager with a systems electronic unit that can support a variety of helicopter missions including low-level navigation and surveillance.

Deliveries are expected to be completed by February 2013.