BAE Systems yesterday said it was awarded a $15 million contract to support the Army’s Joint Effects Targeting (JETS) program with the company’s new Handheld Azimuth Measuring, Marking, Electro-Optic imaging & Ranging (HAMMER tm) precision targeting system.
The award kicks off a three-year engineering and manufacturing development phase for HAMMER with the JETS program.
“This lightweight precision targeting system allows dismounted combat operators to locate and mark targets in all weather and lighting conditions, with the precision required for GPS-guided and laser-guided munitions,” said Mark Hutchins, director of Targeting Programs at BAE Systems. “With BAE Systems’ strategy to grow our electronics systems offerings, we look forward to working with the Army on this next-generation product.”
Soldiers’ ability to have immediate and accurate knowledge of their surroundings is critical to mission success–and especially to saving lives.
At a fraction of the weight and cost of precision targeting systems currently in the Defense Department inventory, the man-portable HAMMER system is the most capable precision targeting product available on the market, the company said in a statement.
Working with industry partners, BAE developed the product to support the missions of today’s warfighter with the aim of significantly reducing collateral damage and friendly fire incidents. Building on the company’s already-fielded Target Reconnaissance Infrared Geolocating Rangefinder (TRIGR®) system, the HAMMER architecture enhances precision targeting capabilities by adding a compact laser marker and a non-magnetic compass.
BAE teamed with Elbit Systems of America to provide a laser marker based on laser target designators they have developed and fielded with the Marines.
When fielded as part of the JETS program, HAMMER will help soldiers distinguish friends from foes with satellite positioning and surveillance information, and allow them to rapidly receive, transmit, and coordinate targeting data.
“Precision targeting is a critical capability within our military,” Hutchins said. “We will continue to provide dismounted soldiers and operators with the most cost-effective, compact, and precise targeting equipment available.”