Let me preface this by saying that I KNOW this is an extremely long article. If you have an interest in night vision, though, this is a MUST READ:
It was Christmas Eve 2007 and US Army Rangers were searching for suspected Al-Qaeda members in Mosul, Iraq. They were using their night vision goggles so they would have the element of surprise on their side. The story, detailed in a USA Today article, dramatically demonstrates the advantage night vision capabilities provide to US troops on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Rangers found 2 Al-Qaeda suspects who were holding an 11-year-old Iraqi boy hostage. Using their night vision capabilities, they were able to shoot the suspects without harming the boy. After that encounter, a firefight erupted between the Army rangers and Al-Qaeda insurgents, with 10 insurgents killed, including the head of an assassination cell, and no Army ranger losses. As former General Barry McCaffrey, commander of the US Army’s 24th Infantry Division in the 1991 Desert Storm conflict, commented: “Our night vision capability provided the single greatest mismatch of the war.” It still does.
This article will examine how this technology works, how its military application has developed over years, how the technology is used by troops in the field, as well as major DoD contracts for procuring night vision devices.
Night Vision Technology
Thermal image of tank
Night vision technology captures available electromagnetic radiation outside the portion of the spectrum visible to the human eye.
There are 2 primary technologies that are used for night vision devices: image intensification and thermal imaging.
Image intensification (I2) is best for seeing details like maps, because it works by intensifying the existing light spectrum. Low levels of ambient light pass through a photocathode that converts the light photons to electrons, then amplifies them. Sensitivity levels to various infrared, ultraviolet and visible spectrum wavelengths vary with the exact device. They then hit a phosphor screen (read: “TV screen”) where they are converted into visible light (read: “picture”).
The phosphor screen is colored green because the human eye can differentiate more shades of green than other phosphor colors. Like cameras, night vision devices have various image magnifications. The distance at which a human-sized figure can be clearly recognized under normal conditions (moon and star light, with no haze or fog) depends on both the magnifying power of the objective lens and the strength of the image intensifier.
Infrared (IR) or thermal imaging uses heat sources (aka. “deep infrared” spectrum) instead. Because infrared is actively emitted and not just reflected, and isn’t blocked as easily as visible light, this form of “infravision” works in no-light conditions that may prevail underground and inside dark buildings, or in conditions like dust storms, fog, etc.
The night vision industry has evolved through three generations of development. Each generation offers more sensitivity and can operate effectively on less light.
Generation I
Amplification: 1,000x
Amplification: 1,000x
AN-PVS-2 scope
The early 1960s witnessed the beginning of passive night vision. Technological improvements included vacuum-tight fused fiber optics for good center resolution and improved gain, multi-alkali photocathodes and fiber optic input and output windows.
Generation I devices lacked the sensitivity and light amplification necessary to see below full moonlight and were often staged or cascaded to improve gain. As a result, Generation I systems were large and cumbersome, less reliable, and relatively poor low-light imagers. They were also characterized by streaking and distortion. Operating life expectancy of Generation I image intensifier tubes was about 2,000 hours. Generation I technology is obsolete in the US market.
An example of a Generation I device is the AN/PVS-2 scope [pdf].
Generation II
Amplification: 20,000x
Amplification: 20,000x
AN-PVS-5 goggles
The development of the microchannel plate (MCP) led to the birth of Generation II devices in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Higher electron gains were now possible through smaller packaging, and performance improvements made observation possible down to 1/4 moonlight.
The first proximity focused MCP image intensifier tube was an 18mm used in the original AN/PVS-5 night vision goggles. Generation II tubes had a life expectancy from 2,500 hours to 4,000 hours.
Generation II+ provided improved performance over standard Generation II by providing increased gain at high and low levels. Generation II+ equipment provided the best image under full moonlight conditions and was recommended for urban environments.
Examples of Generation II devices include:
Generation III
Amplification: 30,000-50,000x
Amplification: 30,000-50,000x
AN/PVS-14 monocular goggles
A Generation III intensifier multiplies the light gathering power of the eye or video receptor up to 30,000 times. Requiring over 460 manufacturing steps, the Generation III intensifier is typically characterized by a gallium arsenide (GaAs) photocathode. The photon sensitivity of the GaAs photocathode extends into the near-infrared region, where night sky illumination and contrast ratios are highest.
Sealed to an input window that minimizes veiling glare, the photocathode generates an electron current which is proximity focused onto a phosphor screen, where the electron energy is converted into green light that can then be relayed to the eye or sensor through an output window.
Continuing improvements have increased the operating life expectancy of Generation III tubes to 10,000 hours. This is an important consideration when the intensifier tube normally represents 50% of the overall cost of the night vision system.
Generation III’s high infrared response complements this phenomenon, creating a sharper, more informative image.
Examples of the Generation III devices include:
- AN/PVS-7 binocular night vision goggles
- AN/PVS-10 night vision scope
- AN/PVS-14 monocular night vision goggles
- AN/PVS-15 submersible night vision binoculars
- AN/AVS-7 aviator’s night vision imaging system
- AN/GVS-5 laser rangefinder
- AN/AAS-32 airborne laser tracker
- MX-10160 image intensifier assemblies for NVD use
Generation III+
Helmet-mounted ENVG
Generation III+ devices differ from standard Generation III in 3 ways. First, an automatic gated power supply system regulates the photocathode voltage, allowing the device to adapt instantaneously to changing light conditions.
The 2nd way is a removed or greatly thinned ion barrier, which decreases the amount of electrons that are usually rejected by the standard Generation III MCP, resulting in less image noise and the ability to operate with a luminous sensitivity at 2850K of only 700, compared to operating with a luminous sensitivity of at least 1800 for Generation III type image intensifier.
And the 3rd way is combining the image intensification and thermal imaging to enable troops to use the goggles in any environment.
Examples of a Generation III+ device are AN/PVS-22 scope and Enhanced Night Vision Goggles (ENVG).
AN/PVS-7D
Since 1985, the US Army has procured night vision devices through a series of Omnibus multiyear contract vehicles.
Under Omnibus I, the Army awarded multiyear production contracts to Litton for AN/PVS-7A binocular night vision goggles and a joint venture of ITT/Varo for AN/PVS-7B binocular night vision goggles.
This contract set the stage for subsequent omnibus contract packages that covered the multiyear procurement of AN/PVS-7 series and AN/AVS-6 and AN/AVS-9 aviator’s night vision systems and associated I2 tubes. Omnibus II was awarded in 1990; Omnibus III in 1992; Omnibus IV in 1996; Omnibus V in 1998; and Omnibus VI in 2002.
The most recent contracts, Omnibus VII, were awarded to Northrop Grumman and ITT in 2005. The indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contracts have a potential value of an estimated $3.2 billion during the 5-year contract period.
Each of contractors received the same total potential award of up to 370,486 AN/PVS-14 monocular goggles and 34,300 AN/PVS-7 binocular goggles and associated MX-10130/UV image intensifier tubes, and MX-11769/UV intensifier tubes.
PAS-13 LTWS
Another contract vehicle used by the US Army and the US Marine Corps is the Thermal Weapon Sight II (TWS II) contract. This is a joint US Army and US Marine Corps program to develop the next generation of thermal weapon sight systems.
In March 2004, TWS II contracts were awarded to BAE Systems and DRS. Both contractors were awarded base quantity and award options that total up to almost 30,000 systems over 4 or 5 years. The base BAE contract is worth $111 million and could be valued at more than $250 million with options.
The TWS II program encompasses 3 models from each of the two contractors: light, medium and heavy. The light thermal weapon sight is primarily used on M16/M4-series weapons; the medium thermal weapon sight on the M249 squad automatic weapon and M240-series machine gun; and the heavy thermal weapon sight on the M2 .50-caliber machine gun, Mk 19-series 40 mm automatic grenade machine gun, and M107 .50-caliber long-range sniper rifle. In addition, the heavy variant of the sight will be fielded to platoon and squad leaders for enhanced situational awareness.
In July 2007, the Army issued TWS II bridge contracts to BAE Systems, DRS, and Raytheon. BAE Systems received a $2.19 billion firm-fixed-price contract for thermal weapons sights and associated testing. DRS received a $2.28 billion firm-fixed-price contract for thermal weapons sights and associated testing. And Raytheon received a $2.61 billion firm-fixed-price contract for thermal weapons sights and associated testing.
The TWS program provides the Army infantry with the ability to detect and engage targets day or night, in all weather and battlefield darkened conditions. The TWS enables individual and crew-served weapon gunners to see deep into the battlefield; increasing their surveillance and target acquisition range.
Lasers are used for range-finding to targets, target designation for seekers, laser radar, illumination of targets, detection of chemical/biological clouds and jammers for electro-optical sensors, such as those used in missile seekers. Current laser research is directed toward new laser materials, laser diode arrays for efficient pumping of solid state lasers, devices for converting emitted laser wavelength to other wavelengths, multi-functional lasers, eyesafe lasers and innovative laser source configurations.
In 2005, the US Army Research, Development and Engineering Command issued $1.37 billion in contracts for Multi-Functioning Aiming Laser Systems (MFALS), which are dual-use ‘flashlight’/ laser pointer for “point and shoot” performance; this is especially useful in the close-quarters battles that often characterize the Global War on Terror.
The MFALS are particularly useful for firing in low-light and night-time environments. They make it easier to illuminate targets in low-light and night-time environments; especially, if they are multi-functional, and also offer various modes of illumination. These capabilities become even more important when trying to avoid collateral damage or misidentification of targets.
AH-64 Apache with Arrowhead sensor
Lockheed Martin Missile and Fire Control supplies Arrowhead kits that include night vision capabilities for US Army AH-64 Apache helicopters and kits for several international customers.
Arrowhead is an advanced electro-optical and fire control system that AH-64 Apache helicopter pilots use for combat targeting of their Hellfire missiles and other weapons, as well as safe flight in day, night, or bad weather missions. Arrowhead’s forward-looking infrared (FLIR) sensors use image processing techniques to give pilots the best possible resolution to avoid obstacles such as wires and tree limbs during low-level flight.
Arrowhead is also known as the modernized target acquisition designation sight/pilot night vision sensor (M-TADS/PNVS) system, the successor to the TADS/PNVS. The M-TADS/PNVS modular architecture accommodates a field-retrofit from TADS/PNVS to the new configuration on the Apache AH-64.
Lockheed Martin rolled out the first Arrowhead system to the U.S. Army in May 2005 and completed integration on the first Apache helicopters in June 2005. Over 850 systems will have been delivered with the completion of the Lot 6 contract, which extends production through December 2011. Here is a breakdown of the dates, values and quantities of the 6 Lots awarded so far under this contract:
•Lot 1: $260 million for 55 units (awarded Nov 11/03);
•Lot 2: $247 million for 97 units (awarded Jan 26/05);
•Lot 3: $385.6 million for 219 units (awarded June 26/06);
•Lot 4: $311 millon for 158 units (awarded Feb 28/07);
•Lot 5: $172 million for 126 units (awarded April 7/08);
•Lot 6: $142 million for 55 units (awarded July 27/09).
•Lot 2: $247 million for 97 units (awarded Jan 26/05);
•Lot 3: $385.6 million for 219 units (awarded June 26/06);
•Lot 4: $311 millon for 158 units (awarded Feb 28/07);
•Lot 5: $172 million for 126 units (awarded April 7/08);
•Lot 6: $142 million for 55 units (awarded July 27/09).
In addition, Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems supplies AN/AAQ-29A night vision system kits for the CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter.
Panoramic NVG
The US Air Force is experimenting with Panoramic Night Vision Goggles (PNVG), which provide pilots a 95-degree field of view compared to the standard goggles 40 degrees. It does this by using 4 smaller (16 mm) image intensifier tubes rather than the two traditional (18 mm) ones.
Insight Technology of Londonderry, NH received a contract to produce the PNGV for the Air Force in 2004.
An auto-gating feature that works independently on each of the tubes also protects pilots from visual degradation if and when they encounter bright lights such as flares. The tube exposed to the high light source automatically reduces gain, which blocks out the light, while allowing the other tubes to retain visual acuity and situational awareness for the pilot.
The PNVGs are being tested on the AC-130 gunship, MC-130 Combat Talon, A-10 Thunderbolt II, and C-17 Globemaster aircraft.
A broad range of contracts have been issued by the US military for night vision devices over the years. Below is a list of the major contracts issued since 2004.
March 30/10: L-3 Communications’ EOS Division in Garland, TX received a 2-year, $30 million indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract for the purchase of MX 10160 image intensifier assemblies in support of US Special Operations Command Headquarters Procurement Division. The work will be performed in Tempe, AZ and is expected to be complete in 2012 (H92222-10-D-0012).
March 17/10: Small business qualifier Oasys Technology in Manchester, NH secures $10.7 million firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract to supply handheld thermal binoculars to the US Navy. The thermal binoculars are used for detection, targeting, and surveillance in low visibility environments. Multiple lenses are available for use to modify the field of view for broader or more focused detection as required.
Oasys will perform the work in Manchester, NH and expects to complete it by March 2015. This contract was competitively procured via the FedBizOpps web site, with 1 offer received by the Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane, IN (N00164-10-D-JQ65).
March 11/10: Lockheed Martin announces that the US Army awarded the company a 3-year, $36.8 million contract to support the Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor (TADS/PNVS) and Modernized TADS/PNVS (M-TADS/PNVS) systems on the AH-64 Apache helicopter at the Army’s Arizona Support Center. Located in Gilbert, AZ, the Arizona Support Center inducts, refurbishes TADS/PNVS components to incorporate into the M-TADS/PNVS. The contract includes fielding activities associated with the modernization effort, including a team of Orlando-based product support technicians to Army Apache locations worldwide to install and test the M-TADS/PNVS systems on the aircraft.
The M-TADS/PNVS, also known as Arrowhead, is an advanced electro-optical and fire control system that AH-64 Apache helicopter pilots use for combat targeting of their Hellfire missiles and other weapons, as well as safe flight in day, night, or bad weather missions.
Col. Shane Openshaw, US Army Program Manager for Apache, commented:
“Every Apache battalion deployed in support of current operations in Iraq and Afghanistan is equipped with the M-TADS/PNVS system. The system is the number one Apache pilot request since 1997.”
March 1/10: Insight Technology in Londonderry, NH received a $34.1 million firm-fixed-price contract for the Fusion Goggle System Version 4 (FGS V4) from the US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). The command requires the FGS V4 for special operations force elements currently engaged in the overseas contingency operations. The application for this item is combined thermal imaging and image intensification.
Work will be performed in Londonderry and is expected to be completed by March 2015. The Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division in Indiana manages the contract (N00164-10-D-JQ58).
Feb 24/10: Lockheed Martin announces that the US Army awarded the company a $90 million follow-on contract to support the Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor (TADS/PNVS) and Modernized TADS/PNVS (M-TADS/PNVS) systems on the AH-64 Apache helicopter. This is the 3rd option for the original Performance Based Logistics (PBL) contract awarded in 2007 (see April 4/07 and Dec 14/07 entries). The PBL contract provides post-production supply chain management, including spares planning, procurement, repairs, maintenance, modifications and inventory management of fielded systems. The combined value of the initial contract and first 2 options was $283.4 million.
Feb 22/10: The US State Department announces that on Feb 4/10 it lifted a 3-year export debarment imposed on ITT for export rule violations regarding its night vision systems.
In March 2007, ITT plead guilty to violating the US Arms Export Control Act when the company released technical information to China, Singapore and the United Kingdom for night vision systems without proper export licenses. In December 2007, ITT agreed to pay penalties and institute remedial compliance measures to address its lax export control compliance. Under the debarment, the State Department restricted certain exports of night vision equipment and technical data to specific countries.
According to the Feb 22/10 Federal Register announcement:
“The Department of State has reviewed the circumstances and consulted with other appropriate U.S. agencies, and has determined that ITT Corporation has taken appropriate steps to address the causes of the violations and to mitigate any law enforcement concerns.”
In response, ITT said in a statement:
“ITT has spent a tremendous amount of effort, time and resources to ensure that its export compliance program is effective and fully compliant with government law and regulations. The reinstatement of export privileges reinforces our commitment to ensure that we are following both the letter and intent of all U.S. laws and regulations.”
Feb 19/10: L-3 Communications announces that it agreed to acquire Insight Technology in Londonderry, NH, for an undisclosed consideration. Insight develops and manufactures night vision and electro-optical devices, including laser aiming and illumination devices, laser rangefinders, laser markers and designators, night vision goggles and monoculars, and thermal imaging systems. Insight employs approximately 1,100 people and has $290 million in annual sales. L-3 said that the purchase price represents 9 times Insight’s estimated 2010 EBITDA. It expects to complete the acquisition in the second quarter of 2010.
Feb 8/10: Irvine Sensors in Costa Mesa, CA announces a subcontract worth up to $18 million to supply clip-on thermal imagers (COTI) to Optics 1 under a $37.8 million COTI contract awarded by the Naval Surface Warfare Center of Crane, IN (see Jan 20/10 entry).
Irvine Sensors and Optics 1 jointly developed the COTI technology. The COTI has been designed to clip onto existing military night vision goggles and provide users with thermal images to complement the amplified low-light images that the goggles currently provide. There are about 1 million night vision goggles in US military inventories that could potentially be retrofitted with the COTI system, according to Irvine Sensors.
Jan 20/10: Optics 1 in Manchester, NH won a $37.8 million firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract for a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 6,600 Clip on Thermal Imager (COTI) systems, repairs, spares and associated data. The COTI clips onto the AN/PVS-15A night vision goggle to give special operation forces an optically fused device providing a thermal image into either the right or left side of the PVS-15A goggle. Optics 1 will perform the work in Manchester, NH, and expects to complete it by January 2015. This contract was competitively procured via FedBizOpps with 2 offers received by the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Crane, IN (N00164-10-D-JQ48).
Jan 12/10: ITT Night Vision Division in Roanoke, VA received a $7.4 million firm-fixed-price contract for various night vision equipment for the Canadian military. ITT will perform the work in Roanoke, VA, with an estimated completion date of Dec 31/10. CECOM Acquisition Center at Fort Monmouth, NJ manages the contract (W15P7T-10-C-D214).
Nov 25/09: BAE Systems’ Electronic Solutions division in Nashua, NH won a $42 million firm-fixed-price contract to supply 1,203 night vision goggles, known as laser target locator modules (LTLMs), to the US Army. The LTLMs are handheld goggles that enable soldiers to identify target locations while on foot, in daylight or at nighttime, and in obscured-visibility conditions such as fog and smoke.
BAE Systems will perform the work in Nashua, NH, and expects to complete it by May 14/14. Bids were solicited on the web with 2 bids received by the US Army Research, Development & Engineering Command’s Acquisition Center at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD (W91CRB-09-D-0029).
Oct 16/09: ITT Corp. received a $72 million indefinite-delivery/ indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract for its aviator’s night vision goggles (AN/AVS-6), night vision tubes and spare parts. The company competitively won 100% of the contract awarded by the US Army Research Development and Engineering Command. With this most recent award, ITT said it remains the sole supplier of aviation goggles and tubes to the US Army.
Oct 16/09: ITT Corp. received a $19.3 million delivery order from the US Army’s Research Development & Engineering Command Acquisition Center under the OMNI VII contract (see Sept 15/05 item) for AN/PVS-14 night vision monocular devices – 80% of these goggles are destined for the US Air Force with the remaining quantities for the US Navy and US Army.
The AN/PVS-14 is a night vision monocular that provides enhanced resolution for mobility and target identification. For use by ground forces, these devices can be hand-held, head- or weapon-mounted or fitted to a camera. The AN/PVS-14 operates on a single AA battery and comes equipped with ITT’s thin-filmed proprietary Generation 3 Pinnacle image intensifier tube that has the ability to detect available light more than 10 times the power of previous generations.
Aug 12/09: ITT Corp. received $43 million in follow-on orders for Enhanced Night Vision Goggles (ENVG) and associated spare parts from the US Army’s Research, Development and Engineering Command Acquisition Center at Aberdeen Proving Ground in MD. The original contract (W91CRB-05-D-0012), awarded in 2005, has a potential value of $560 million. ITT partnered with Raytheon in developing the ENVG, which combines a number of night vision technologies.
The ENVG, or AN/PSQ-20, is the first helmet-mounted night vision monocular to combine the strengths of both image intensification (I2) and infrared (IR, or thermal) technologies into one device, according to ITT. The US Army’s first unit equipped with ENVG was introduced in April 2008.
Aug 10/09: BAE Systems announced that it had partnered with Vectronix to supply 200 laser target locator modules (LTLMs) per month to the US Army under a 5-year indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract worth up to $347 million.
Weighing less than 5.5 pounds, the LTLM consists of a direct-view optic system, a thermal night-vision camera, a laser range finder, a digital compass, and a GPS receiver. The system enables users to recognize targets more than 2.6 miles away in daylight and a half mile away in total darkness.
July 28/09: Lockheed Martin Missile and Fire Control received a $142 modification to a firm-fixed-price contract for 55 Arrowhead kits for U.S. Army AH-64 Apache helicopters and kits for several international customers.
Arrowhead is an advanced electro-optical and fire control system that AH-64 Apache helicopter pilots use for combat targeting of their Hellfire missiles and other weapons, as well as safe flight in day, night, or bad weather missions. Arrowhead’s forward-looking infrared (FLIR) sensors use advanced image processing techniques to give pilots the best possible resolution to avoid obstacles such as wires and tree limbs during low-level flight.
March 27/09: Raytheon Systems in McKinney, TX received a $94.5 million indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract with firm-fixed-priced delivery orders for 12,105 thermal weapons sights and the start of 17-micron technology insertion.
Work is to be performed at McKinney, TX (65%) and Goleta, CA (35%) with an estimated completion date of Nov 30/10. Bids were solicited on the web, with 3 bids received by the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command Contracting Center in Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD (W91CRB-07-D-0029).
March 27/09: BAE Systems in Lexington, MA received a $137.6 million indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract with firm-fixed-priced delivery orders for 16,155 thermal weapon sights. BAE’s May release adds that:
“This award increases the value of the current contract to more than $563 million [for BAE, so far]. To date, BAE Systems has delivered more than 42,000 sights to meet Army fielding requirements.”
Work is to be performed at Lexington, MA, with an estimated completion date of Nov 30/10. Bids were solicited on the web, with 3 bids received by the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command Contracting Center in Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD (W91CRB-07-D-0030).
March 27/09: DRS Sensors and Targeting Systems in Palm Bay, FL received a $120 million indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract with firm-fixed-priced delivery orders for 13,123 thermal weapon sights. The order is a follow-on to an existing 5-year, $2.3-billion indefinite-delivery/ indefinite quantity TWS II Bridge contract awarded in 2007; orders against that contract now exceed $230 million, and additional bridge orders are expected as funding becomes available.
DRS is currently delivering TWS II Bridge systems on schedule, at rates growing beyond 2,000 systems per month. Work is to be performed at Melbourne, FL (65%) and Dallas, TX (35%) with an estimated completion date of Nov 30/10. Bids were solicited on the web, with 3 bids received by the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command Contracting Center in Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD (W91CRB-07-D-0031).
Jan 8/09: L3 Electro-Optical Systems (EOS) in Garland, TX won [pdf] a maximum $48.9 million firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract for Submersible Binocular Night Vision Systems (SBNVSs). The SBNVSs will be used by US Navy personnel to provide night vision capability. Work will be performed in Garland, TX and is expected to be complete by January 2014. This contract was competitively procured via FedBizOpps, with 4 offers received. The Naval Surface Warfare Center in Crane, IN manages the contract (N00164-09-D-JQ69).
Sept 29/08: FLIR Systems in Wilsonville, OR received a $125.3 million firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery, requirements contract for Electro-Optic/Infrared Sensor System, Improved Navigational Thermal Imaging System (NTIS) AN/AAQ-22E BRITE STAR BLOCK II. The contract will provide for an estimated quantity of 116 each production NTIS AN/AAQ-22E BRITE STAR BLOCK II, along with an estimated quantity of 25 each upgrades of AN/AAQ-22D to the AN/AAQ-22E configuration, non-warranty repairs of the AN/AAQ-22C, AN/AAQ-22D, and AN/AAQ-22E, associated data, and operator training. Work will be performed in Wilsonville, OR, and is expected to be complete by October 2013. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division in Crane, IN manages the contract (N00164-08-D-JQ40).
Sept 29/08: FLIR Systems in North Billerica, MA received a maximum amount $11.3 million firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract for Thermal/ Low-Light Handheld Imager, a small, lightweight, low-power, 1-man portable thermal and low-light imaging device capable of detecting, recognizing, identifying, locating and marking targets in day/ night operations.
Work will be performed in North Billerica, MA and is expected to be complete by September 2013. This contract was competitively procured via FedBizOpps, with 1 offer received by the Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division, IN (N00164-08-D-JQ35).
Sept 29/08: Small business qualifier Norotos in Santa Ana, CA won a maximum value $15 million firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract for ruggedized night vision mounting hardware. The night vision mounting hardware will be procured for surface US Navy operational use with current night vision devices as well as future procurements of night vision devices. The helmet-mounting system will be universal to support AN/PVS-15B binocular, AN/PVS-7C goggle, AN/PVS-18 monocular, and F6015 monocular.
Work will be performed in Santa Ana, CA and is expected to be complete by June 2013. Contract funds in the amount of $194,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via FedBizOpps, with 2 offers received by the Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane IN (N00164-08-D-JQ23).
Sept 17/08: Science Applications International Corp. in San Diego, CA won a $6.7 million cost-plus-fixed-fee contract. The primary objective of the Advanced Night Vision System program is to develop core technologies for improving night vision capability in urban operations. Work will be performed in San Diego, CA; Elk River, MN; Bull Shoals, AZ; Palo Alto, CA; Watertown, MA; and Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, with an estimated completion date of March 15/10. Bids were solicited via a Broad Agency Announcement and 3 bids were received by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency in Arlington, VA (HR0011-08-C-0144).
June 18/08: ITT Night Vision in Roanoke, VA received a $6.9 million firm-fixed-price contract for PVS-7D night vision and AN/PVS7 night vision devices. Work will be performed in Roanoke, VA and is expected to be complete by Dec 31/09. For this contract, 1 bid was solicited by the US Army’s CECOM Acquisition Center in Fort Monmouth, NJ (W15P7T-08-C-D236).
June 9/08: Information Network Systems in Alexandria, VA received a $9.2 million task order (#0030) under a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (M67854-02-A-9013) to provide analytical, acquisition, administrative and logistics support for the Program Manager, Optics and Non-lethal Systems, Infantry Weapons Systems, Marine Corps Systems Command. PM ONS develops, demonstrates, procures, fields, and provides life-cycle management support for electro-optical systems, optics tools and test equipment, and non-lethal and force protection (NL/FP) systems to support USMC warfighting forces. This includes all day and night scopes, laser pointers, laser illuminators, thermal weapons sights, night vision enhancement devices, and NL/FP systems. Work will be performed in Stafford, VA and is expected to be complete in June 2009. The Marine Corps System Command in Quantico, VA manages the contract.
March 10/08: BAE Systems announces a $130 million US Army order for production of thermal weapon sights, from The Army’s Program Executive Office Soldier at Fort Belvoir, VA. This is the 2nd award under a 5-year indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract (vid. July 2/07 entry), and increases the total contract value to more than $313 million. It also increases BAE Systems’ monthly deliveries to 3,000 units per month, beginning in 2009. Discussion with BAE confirms that this is an order under W91CRB-07-D-0030.
BAE’s release adds that they have delivered more than 20,000 thermal weapon sights to date under a separate 5-year, $295 million contract administered by the Army’s Communications-Electronics Command at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. Final deliveries will be complete in 2008, more than 15 months ahead of the original contract schedule.
Jan 25/08: Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control in Orlando, FL received a $171.8 million firm-fixed-price contract for modernized target acquisition designation night vision sensors for the Apache aircraft. Work will be performed in Orlando, FL and is expected to be complete by Sept 30/11. There was 1 bid solicited, and 1 bid received by the Aviation and Missile Command in Redstone Arsenal, AL (W58RGZ-06-C-0169).
Dec 14/07: Lockheed Martin Electronics and Fire Control in Orlando, FL received an $80.7 million firm-fixed-price contract for logistical support for the AH-64 Apache modernized and legacy target acquisition designation sight assembly and pilot night vision sensor assembly system. Work will be performed in Orlando, FL, and is expected to be complete by Dec 31/08. There was 1 bid solicited on May 19/06, and 1 bid was received by the USA Aviation & Missile Command at Redstone Arsenal, AL (W58RGZ-07-C-0058).
Sept 28/07: ITT Night Vision in Roanoke, VA received a $10.9 million firm-fixed-price contract for procurement of AN/AVS-9 Aviator’s Night Vision Goggles and associated data. The AN/AVS-9 Aviator’s Night Vision Goggles are helmet-mounted goggles that will be used on US Navy ships for nighttime flight operations by both aircraft pilots and ship crew members. Work will be performed in Roanoke, VA and is expected to be complete by September 2012. This contract was not competitively procured by the Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division, IN (N00164-07-D-8540).
Sept 6/07: ITT Night Vision in Roanoke, VA received a maximum $37.1 million fixed-price indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract for a maximum of 5,200 submersible monocular night vision systems (US Navy); 2,500 submersible monocular night visions systems (US Coast Guard); 3,000 head-mount face mask assemblies; 7,500 head mounts; 3,000 head straps for personnel armor system for ground troops helmet; 3,000 head straps for modular integrated communications helmet (MICH); 3,000 low profile 3-hole MICH mounting brackets; and associated data.
Work will be performed in Roanoke, VA and is expected to be complete by September 2012. Contract funds in the amount of $5.6 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured by a request for proposals with multiple firms solicited and 1 offer received by the Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division, IN (N00164-07-D-8550).
July 18/07: Northrop Grumman’s Litton Systems in Garland, TX received a $74 million indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity letter contract for production and delivery of the AN/PVS-17C miniature night sight, and associated spare and repair parts. The contract provides for a minimum quantity of 100 and a maximum of 10,000 units. Work will be performed in Garland, TX and is expected to be complete in December 2010. This follow-on contract meets an urgent requirement, and was not awarded competitively by the Marine Corps Systems Command in Quantico, VA (M67854-07-C-1011).
July 16/07: ITT Night Vision in Roanoke, VA received a maximum $16.6 million firm-fixed-price indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract for a maximum of 6,800 18 mm Image Intensifier MX-10160C Tubes. Image Intensifier Assembly 18-mm Microchannel Wafer High Performance Tubes are utilized in night vision goggles.
Work will be performed in Roanoke, VA and expected to be complete by July 2012. This contract was competitively procured by a request for proposals with 2 firms solicited and 1 offer received by the Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division, IN (N00164-07-D-8543).
July 2/07: Raytheon Systems in McKinney, TX received, a delivery order amount of $63.4 million as part of a $2.61 billion firm-fixed-price contract for thermal weapons sights with associated testing. Work will be performed in McKinney, TX (65%), and Goleta, CA (35%), and other north Texas locarions, and is expected to be complete by June 30, 2012. Bids were solicited via the World Wide Web on March 9, 2007, and 3 bids were received by the U.S. Army Research, Development, and Engineering Command at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD (W91CRB-07-D-0029).
Raytheon will begin supplying improved AN/PAS-13 thermal weapon sights in December 2007, beginning with this delivery order for approximately 5,000 systems. The entire indefinite delivery-indefinite quantity program is potentially worth $2.6 billion and could result in the delivery of up to 150,000 during the 5-year, firm-fixed-price contract. The latest sights will feature technology improvements that result in lower power requirements, reduced size and weight, and improved commonality, making Mission Support more efficient and economical during the life of the equipment. Raytheon was the first government-qualified supplier of AN/PAS-13 light, medium, and heavy thermal weapon sights, and has delivered in excess of 28,000 to the Army.
July 2/07: BAE Systems in Lexington, MA received a delivery order amount of $183.25 million as part of a $2.19 billion firm-fixed-price contract for thermal weapons sights with associated testing. The order is their first award under a new 5-year indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract managed by the Army’s Program Executive Office Soldier at Fort Belvoir, VA. Work will be performed in Lexington, MA (70%), and Manassas, VA (30%), and is expected to be complete by June 30, 2012. Bids were solicited via the World Wide Web on March 9, 2007, and 3 bids were received by the U.S. Army Research, Development, and Engineering Command at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD (W91CRB-07-D-0030).
BAE Systems is already under contract to produce and deliver more than 29,600 sights under the 5-year, $295 million Thermal Weapon Sights II (TWS II) contract administered by the Communications-Electronics Command at Fort Monmouth, NJ. To date, BAE has delivered more than 11,000 TWS-II sights to meet critical Army fielding requirements in support of ongoing operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. This award will increase their production rates to 3,000 per month.
July 2/07: DRS Sensors and Targeting Systems in Palm Bay, FL received a delivery order amount of $14.4 million as part of a new $2.28 billion firm-fixed-price contract for thermal weapons sights with associated testing. Work will be performed in Melbourne, FL (65%), and Dallas, TX (35%), and is expected to be complete by June 30, 2012. Bids were solicited via the World Wide Web on March 9, 2007, and 3 bids were received by the U.S. Army Research, Development, and Engineering Command at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD (W91CRB-07-D-0031).
May 21/07: ITT Corp.’s Night Vision Division in Roanoke, VA received a $6 million firm-fixed-price five-year indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract for 18 mm Image Intensifier Tubes for use in night vision goggles, night vision weapon sights, night vision binoculars and night vision monoculars. The tubes magnify and enhance existing natural light or laser illumination to allow users to see in the dark.
Work will be performed in Roanoke, VA, and is expected to be complete by May 2012. This contract was competitively procured and solicited via the web via FedBizOpps with 1 offer received by the Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division, IN (N00164-07-D-8520).
April 24/07: DRS technologies subsidiary Night Vision Systems in Allentown, PA received a maximum $139.3 million fixed-price with economic price adjustment contract for night vision equipment on behalf of the US Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps. This is a 5-year contract with 1 base year and 4 one-year options. There were 5 proposals solicited and 4 responded. Date of performance completion is April 19, 2008. Contracting activity is Defense Supply Center Columbus, (DSCC) in Columbus, OH (SPM7AX-07-D-7014).
April 4/07: Lockheed Martin in Orlando, FL received a $122.6 million firm-fixed-price contract for logistical support for the AH-64 Apache Modernized and Legacy Target Acquisition Designation Sight Assembly and Pilot Night Vision Sensor Assembly System. Work will be performed in Orlando, FL and is expected to be completed by Dec 31/07. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This was a sole source contract initiated on May 19/06. The US Army Aviation and Missile Command in Redstone Arsenal, AL manages the contract (W58RGZ-07-C-0058).
March 21/07: Columbia Research Corp. in Washington, DC received a $6.3 million term task order (M67854-04-A-5167 Task Order 0003) for acquisition, logistics, and administrative support services for the Program Manager Optics & Non-Lethal Systems (ONS), Infantry Weapons Systems office. The ONS program manager develops, demonstrates, procures, fields, and provides life-cycle management support for optics and non-lethal systems to support USMC warfighting forces. This includes all day and night scopes, laser pointers, laser illuminators, thermal weapons sights, night vision enhancement devices, and non-lethal systems.
Work will be performed in Quantico, VA (81%); Albany, GA (13%); Camp Lejeune, NC (3%); and Camp Pendleton, CA. (3%). Additionally, to accommodate logistics management and training issues, on-site support at Marine Corps Logistics Base, Albany, GA, and other CONUS locations is required throughout the contract duration to support handling of logistics and training requirements in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the expected triple increase in assets. .
Nov 6/06: DRS Technologies announces approximately $76 million in new orders to produce next-generation advanced uncooled Thermal Weapon Sights II (TWS II) for US Army soldiers: up to 1,600 light, 3,900 medium, and 2,000 heavy versions. The award is part of a competitively secured 5-year contract awarded in March 2004, with a total potential value of $375 million if all options are exercised.
Work will be performed by the company’s DRS Sensors & Targeting Systems – Optronics Division in Palm Bay and Melbourne, FL; and by DRS’ Infrared Technologies Division in Dallas, TX and Irvine, CA. The firm has recently expanded production facilities and operations in Florida and Dallas to meet the continuing and growing demand, and expects to be producing and delivering in excess of 1,000 systems per month by the end of the year.
Sept 28/06: Insight Technology in Londonderry, NH, received a $9.7 million firm-fixed price contract modification. This contract action is required to assemble and deliver 145 Block I Panoramic Night Vision Goggles, 1,112 snap-on diaper assemblies, and 16 ANV-126-210 adapter kits. At this time, $7.3 million has been obligated. This work will be complete by April 2008. Headquarters Aeronautical Systems Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH manages the contract (FA8607-04-C-2752/P00011).
Sept 15/05: The US Army Contracting Agency at White Sands Missile Range, NM issued $3.24 billion in contracts to Northrop Grumman in Garland, TX, and ITT Industries in Roanoke, VA for “Omnibus VII enhanced third generation image intensifier ground night vision devices and spare image intensifier tubes.” The US Army and US Marine Corps are using 1 omnibus contract to purchase the following night-vision devices: AN/PVS-14 monocular, AN/PVS-7D binocular, MX-10130/UV image intensifier tubes, and MX-11769/UV image intensifier tubes.
Northrop Grumman received a $1.85 billion contract (W9124Q-05-D-0823), and the company will performed the work in Garland, TX (60%), and Tempe, AZ (40%). ITT received a $1.39 billion contract (W9124Q-05-D-0821), and the company will perform the work in Roanoke, VA.
Sept 14/05: Insight Technology in Londonderry, NH received a delivery order amount of $81 million as part of a $783.5 million firm-fixed-price contract for the Multi-Functioning Aiming Laser System (W91CRB-05-D-0028).
Bids were solicited via the web for the Multi-Functioning Aiming Laser Systems contract on May 3/04, and 5 bids were received. Work will be performed in Londonderry, NH, and is expected to be complete by Sept 15/10.
Sept 14/05: Small business qualifier Laser Devices in Monterey, CA received a delivery order amount of $26 million as part of a $586.2 million firm-fixed-price contract for the Multi-Functioning Aiming Laser System (W91CRB-05-D-0029). Bids were solicited via the web for the Multi-Functioning Aiming Laser Systems contract on May 3/04, and 5 bids were received. Work will be performed in Monterey, CA and is expected to be complete by Sept 15/10.
Aug 26/05: Raytheon’s Space and Airborne Systems in El Segundo, CA received awarded a $38.8 million firm-fixed-price delivery order against a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract (N00019-04-D-0070) for the procurement of 83 AN/AAQ-29A night vision system kits. These are turreted FLIR units (Forward Looking Infrared, feeds images to a display screen inside) and system electronics to be installed on and in CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters.
This delivery order brings the total number of CH-53 night vision B-kits kits ordered under this contract to 109, and the total outlays to around $53 million. Work will be performed in El Segundo, CA (77%); Midland, ON, Canada (11%); Goleta, CA (10%); and Albuquerque, NM (2%), and is expected to be complete in September 2009. The Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, MD issued the contract.
April 16/04: The US Air Force Aeronautical Systems Center awarded [pdf] a contract (FA8607-04-C-2752) to Insight Technology in Londonderry, NH for low-rate initial production of Block I Panoramic Night Vision Goggles for testing by US pilots.
April 2/04: DRS Technologies announced that it was awarded a 5-year US Army contract to produce a family of next-generation thermal weapon sights for war fighters. The contract, with a base value of $118 million, could exceed $375 million, if all options are exercised.
The contract was awarded to DRS by the US Army’s Communications-Electronics Command (CECOM) in Fort Monmouth, NJ. The manufacturing work for this contract will be accomplished at the company’s DRS Optronics facilities in Palm Bay and Melbourne, FL and DRS Infrared Technologies facilities in Dallas, TX. Deliveries of light, medium and heavy thermal weapon sights, thermal imaging module options and spares are expected to commence in September of 2004 and continue through March 2009.
March 31/04: BAE Systems won a 5-year contract from the US Army’s Communication and Electronics Command (CECOM) to supply a family of next-generation thermal weapon sights for soldiers. The base contract is worth $111 million, and could be valued at more than $250 million if all options are exercised.
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