L-3 Selected for Phase II Development of Ultra Wide Field of View Persistent Imaging Surveillance Sensor
L-3 Integrated Optical Systems announced today that it has been selected by the Office of Naval Research (ONR) for the next phase of the Ultra Wide Field of View Wide Area Airborne Surveillance Sensor (WAASS) development program. This surveillance system research and development program will continue to demonstrate a wide area persistent imaging surveillance sensor that provides situational awareness of regions of interest for airborne platforms, such as the Marine Corps’ RQ-7 Shadow 200 Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS).
The Ultra Wide Sensor allows a single UAS platform to monitor an area that normally would require multiple UAS platforms with standard electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) payloads. It uses an advanced staring focal plane array and provides two significant capabilities to the warfighter: tactical situational awareness, by supplying soldiers with an overhead view of their local area, and forensic video data that enables analysts to assess enemy networks of activity.
“Our compact sensor provides high-resolution tactical images that give warfighters a better understanding of the battlefield so that they can safely identify and react to threats,” said Dan Desmond, president of L-3 Integrated Optical Systems. “The U.S. Navy’s dedication to the WAASS program will enable advances in global situational awareness for the entire Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance community, and we are very pleased to be part of this effort.”
