At its unit in Lexington, Mass., the London-based BAE Systems plc will design and develop a digitally enhanced night-vision goggle under a contract from the US Army. Incorporating the company’s MicroIR microbolometer sensor, the helmet-mounted device is expected to improve soldiers’ situational awareness in various lighting conditions. It will digitally combine video imagery from a low-light-level visible sensor and from an uncooled long-wave infrared sensor on a color display, enabling improved image quality and image sharing.

BAE Systems also has received a $49 million contract from the US Navy to develop a system to identify and track camouflaged, concealed or submerged targets. At its site in Honolulu, the company will develop aircraft sensors that enable passive, nonintrusive detection of targets for the Joint Multi-Mission Electro-Optical System. Awarded by the Naval Air Systems Command, the initial funding increment is $6.7 million. The work is scheduled for completion in 2012.

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