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The AN/AAQ-30 TSS provides target identification and tracking, passive targeting, and a laser designation for laser-guided weapons.
John Keller
Feb 1st, 2021
PATUXENT RIVER NAS, Md. – Electro-optics experts at Lockheed Martin Corp. are building 19 multi-sensor electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) fire-control systems for AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters that operate for Bahrain and the Czech Republic.
Officials of the Naval Air Systems Command at Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Md., announced an $49.7 million order on Wednesday to the Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control segment in Orlando, Fla., for 19 AN/AAQ-30 target sight systems (TSS).
The TSS equipment for Viper helicopter gunships is part of the H-1 upgrades program for the remanufacture of legacy aircraft with state-of-the-art designs to convert existing AH-1W SuperCobra attack helicopters to the AH-1Z Viper, Navy officials say. The U.S. Marine Corps also operates the Viper attack helicopter.
The Lockheed Martin AN/AAQ-30 TSS provides target identification and tracking, passive targeting for integrated weapons -- including Hellfire missiles -- and a laser designation for laser-guided weapons. TSS provides can identify and laser-designate targets at the maximum ranges of Viper helicopter weapons.
Related: Northrop Grumman to provide laser designators to maintain electro-optical multispectral targeting systems
The AN/AAQ-30 targeting system is a large-aperture midwave forward-looking infrared (FLIR) sensor, color TV, laser designator and rangefinder (with eyesafe mode), and on-gimbal inertial measurement unit integrated into a stabilized turret on the nose of the helicopter.
The AN/AAQ-30 has an 8.55-inch aperture, midwave staring FLIR with four fields-of-view for image resolution and long-range performance. Its gimbal is stabilized to less than 15 microradians.
The sensor suite has a multi-mode, multi-target tracker with coast-through-obscuration capability; on-gimbal inertial measurement unit for reduced image blur from jitter; precise line pointing; and target geo-location.
The sensor also has advanced image processing for sharp imagery; algorithms for enhanced image recognition and identification; high magnification; continuous zoom; and color TV with field-of-view matched to the FLIR.
Related: Lockheed Martin to upgrade eCASS test and measurement to troubleshoot electro-optical targeting systems
The AN/AAQ-30 also has a cooled 640-by-512-pixel indium antimonide detector, as well as a modular architecture for future growth, Lockheed Martin officials say.
On this order Lockheed Martin will do the work in Orlando and Ocala, Fla.; Burlington, Ontario; Merrimack, N.H.; Santa Barbara, Calif., and other locations within the continental U.S., and should be finished by January 2023.
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