Lockheed Martin has selected Raytheon to develop and deliver the next generation Distributed Aperture System (DAS) for the F-35 fighter jet.
The F-35’s DAS collects and sends high resolution, real-time imagery to the pilot’s helmet from six infrared cameras mounted around the aircraft, allowing pilots to see the environment around them – day or night.
The ability to detect and track threats from any angle, the F-35 DAS provides pilots with unique situational awareness of the battlespace.
With stealth technology, advanced sensors, weapons capacity and range, the F-35 has been billed as the most lethal, survivable and connected fighter aircraft ever built.
The Raytheon-built DAS will be integrated into F-35 aircraft starting with Lot 15 aircraft, expected to begin deliveries in 2023.
Greg Ulmer, Lockheed Martin Vice President and General Manager of the F-35 program, said: “The supply chain competition for the next generation F-35 Distributed Aperture System resulted in significant cost savings, reliability and performance improvements.
“We are aggressively pursuing cost reduction across the F-35 enterprise and this initiative is a clear demonstration of our unrelenting commitment to reduce costs and deliver transformational capabilities for the warfighter.”
The next generation DAS system is estimated to generate more than $3 billion in life cycle cost savings.
image © Crown Copyright
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