U.S. orders more spy towers for Iraq

BOSTON, May 17 (UPI) -- The U.S. Army has taken a step toward becoming an all-seeing presence in Iraq with an order for infrared surveillance towers to monitor insurgent movements.

The $10 million contract option announced Thursday provides the Army with 16 of Raytheon's RAID towers for deployment in Iraq and Afghanistan later this year.

Rapid Aerostat Initial Deployment towers are equipped with remote-control infrared sensors that can cast an unblinking eye on wide areas and detect enemy forces that may be skulking around in the darkness. The surveillance allows U.S. commanders to respond to ambushes and other threats.

The towers can be built as high as 100 feet and have been in service in Iraq since the 2003 invasion. While the towers offer opportunities for target practice by insurgents, the systems are "ruggedized" and include a self-defense mechanism that protects the tower base from tampering.

"The equipment Raytheon is providing to support U.S. military operations is helping to save the lives of our warfighters," said Raytheon Vice President Pete Franklin.

Raytheon said in a statement it would assemble the towers at its facilities in Andover, Mass., and Huntsville, Ala. The company will also provide support and engineering services that will link the tower camera to other Army surveillance systems.