FLIR Secures Strategic Deal for U.S. Army’s Next-Gen NBC Recon Vehicle
FLIR Systems, Inc. announced it has secured a $26 million contract modification to support the Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Reconnaissance Vehicle Sensor Suite Upgrade (NBCRV SSU) initiative for the U.S. Army. This Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreement was granted through the Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Defense (JPEO-CBRND) as a continuation of a $48 million contract disclosed in April 2019.
FLIR serves as the primary integrator in enhancing the Army’s NBCRV system with advanced and autonomous CBRN sensors. Earlier this year, the company delivered initial prototypes of the NBCRV SSU system for an in-depth evaluation at Fort Bliss, Texas. Soldiers utilized the FLIR prototype in realistic combat scenarios to identify and swiftly evade CBRN threats. The latest contract enables FLIR to persist in the development of the Sensor Suite and to provide advanced prototypes for governmental evaluation in 2021.
Among various third-party technologies, the NBCRV Sensor Suite will incorporate capabilities of the FLIR R80D SkyRaider™ drone allied with a specialized variant of the FLIR IBAC bio-detection sensor. This upcoming phase will also connect the NBCRV with a ground robotic vehicle to enhance the system’s functionality in manned-unmanned collaborative teams. A command and control system developed by FLIR will integrate all devices and platforms featuring sensor fusion and automation capabilities that reduce cognitive load on users and enhance decision-making processes.
“Our capability to design and merge manned and unmanned sensing solutions across a diverse threat environment is what sets FLIR apart,” stated Roger Wells, Vice President and General Manager of the Unmanned Systems & Integrated Solutions division at FLIR.
“The integration of UAV and UGV platforms into the NBCRV supports our objective to develop comprehensive sensing capabilities that serve as force multipliers, thereby increasing mission success for our armed forces,” he emphasized.
“Whether through aerial or terrestrial detection systems, FLIR is uniquely situated in the defense sector with extensive expertise in both smart sensor and autonomous systems technologies that ensure the safety of warfighters,” Wells added.
FLIR is also backing additional initiatives by JPEO-CBRND. Over the past year, the company has garnered two contracts exceeding $55 million to deploy its FLIR Agentase™ C2 chemical warfare disclosure spray, designed to detect nerve agents like VX and sarin, along with blister agents such as sulfur mustard.
Development on the NBCRV initiative has commenced and is anticipated to proceed through 2022 at FLIR locations in West Lafayette, Indiana; Stillwater, Oklahoma; and Elkridge, Maryland.
Established in 1978, FLIR Systems is an industry-leading technology firm concentrating on intelligent sensing solutions for defense and industrial applications. FLIR Systems aims to be “The World’s Sixth Sense,” crafting technologies that assist professionals in making more informed choices, ultimately saving lives and livelihoods.
