AH-1Z Cobra Helo© 2013 Lockheed Martin TSS © 2013 Lockheed Martin Lockheed Martin received a $33.9 million follow-on prod...
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| AH-1Z Cobra Helo© 2013 Lockheed Martin |
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| TSS © 2013 Lockheed Martin |
Lockheed Martin received a $33.9 million follow-on production contract from the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC), Crane Division, for the Target Sight System (TSS), the fire control system for the U.S. Marine Corps’ AH-1Z Cobra attack helicopter.
TSS’ advanced sensors provide pilots with enhanced capabilities to acquire, track and designate targets. TSS Lot 10 deliveries will be complete in December 2015.
NSWC Crane awarded the initial TSS production contract in March 2008, followed by additional production contracts in June 2010, August 2011 and May 2012. Lockheed Martin delivered the first TSS in June 2009, and recently began early delivery of production units to support Lot 8 AH-1Z aircraft. TSS is produced at Lockheed Martin facilities in Ocala and Orlando, Florida.
The highly stabilized sensor suite includes a laser designator, color video display and a third-generation, mid-wave, forward-looking infrared sensor with advanced image processing. In 2011, the AH-1Z deployed operationally with TSS.
TSS is one of several high-performance stabilized targeting systems designed, manufactured, tested and supported by Lockheed Martin.
The company’s fielded solutions for fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft include Modernized Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensorfor the U.S. Army, Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod for the U.S. Air Force and the AN/AAQ-39 targeting system for the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command.
TSS is the multi-sensor electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) fire control system (AN/AAQ-30). It is a large-aperture midwave forward-looking infrared (FLIR) sensor, color TV, laser designator/rangefinder (with eyesafe mode), and on-gimbal inertial measurement unit integrated into a highly stabilized turret. The turret mounts to the nose of the aircraft via the Lockheed Martin-developed aircraft interface structure. TSS provides the capability to identify and laser-designate targets at maximum weapon range, significantly enhancing platform survivability and lethality.
