Posted on 08/03/2007 9:15:02 AM PDT by nypokerface
ST. LOUIS, Aug. 2 (UPI) -- The Boeing Co. said Tuesday it has won an $18 million U.S. Marine Corps contract for new ScanEagle ISR systems.
Boeing described the ScanEagle as "a long-endurance, fully autonomous unmanned aircraft." The unmanned intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, or ISR aircraft "has been used by the Marines since July 2004, the U.S. Navy since September 2005 and the Australian Defense Forces since November 2006. During that time, ScanEagles have flown more than 4,600 sorties and 50,000 flight hours, including 34,000 hours with the Marine Expeditionary Forces," the company said.
Boeing said the ScanEagle was developed in partnership with the aircraft's original designers, Insitu Inc. The new contract was approved by the Marine Corps Systems Command in Quantico, Va., and "includes options for additional support that could increase the contract value to $381.5 million," the company said.
"The initial agreement calls for several system upgrades, including the new ScanEagle Block D air vehicle, Rover III forward display system compatibility, an enhanced infrared payload and a mode C transponder," Boeing said.
"These enhancements to the ScanEagle system will broaden its base of operations and allow it to run 24 hours a day, seven days a week," said Jim Havard, Boeing MEF program manager.
"We are pleased to have the opportunity to further serve the Marine Corps in force protection and associated missions, and with this long-term commitment, we can continue to enhance capability while expanding our Marine Corps operations in Operation Iraqi Freedom and the global war on terror," said Don Haas, Insitu director of operations support.
Boeing said a ScanEagle aircraft "carries inertially stabilized electro-optical and infrared cameras. The gimbaled cameras allow the operator to easily track both stationary and moving targets. Capable of flying above 16,000 feet, the platform provides persistent low-altitude reconnaissance."
The nature of the ongoing guerrilla insurgency in Iraq has proved the viability of ScanEagle ISR aircraft and has increased demand for them.
We need to keep this and other military manufacturing within the United States. Hopefull, Boeing does not farm this out to other countries.
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