The Air Force has awarded Raytheon a $42 million contract for additional AN/AAQ-29A forward-looking infrared imaging systems for its fleet of HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters. This order of FLIRs, which are smaller and lighter than the AN/AAQ-16 systems they will replace, is slated for delivery by February 2013, according to company officials. The AAQ-29s will support a variety of helicopter missions, including low-level navigation and surveillance.”These new systems will give our customers the additional capabilities they need to complete critical combat search and rescue missions,” said Tim Carey, Raytheon’s vice president of intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance systems. (Raytheon release)
Members of the Air Force Reserve’s 920th Rescue Wing helped save 11 airplane crash survivors off the coast of Florida on May 12. The Reserve Airmen were flying an HC-130J Combat King II and an HH-60W Jolly Green II on a routine training flight when a Coast Guard call diverted…