BAE contracted for thermal imaging tech

AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 18 (UPI) -- The U.S. Naval Surface Warfare Center has contracted BAE Systems for thermal imaging technologies in support of special operations forces vehicles.

British company BAE was awarded a $50 million contract to support the Driver's Ground Mobility Visual Augmentation System with the company's thermal imaging systems.

BAE's thermal imaging technologies, expected to be installed on ground platforms, are part of an effort to enhance visibility capabilities despite weather or lighting conditions. Officials say with the visibility systems in place, imaging displays in the combat vehicle won't be interrupted by sharp changes from sunshine to darkness.

"Combining inputs from multiple sensors into a single fused image will give vehicle occupants unprecedented ability to observe their surroundings in poor weather and in darkness," David Rohde, Driver's Ground Mobility Visual Augmentation System program manager at BAE Systems, said in a statement.

"It will give special operations forces an important advantage in the global war on terrorism."