The Air Force has tasked Boeing to develop and deliver a lightweight, compact laser targeting system called Line of Sight-Short to help improve the effectiveness of battlefield airmen performing close air support missions, announced the company on Wednesday. “LOS-S provides the Air Force intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and targeting in one easy-to-use, lightweight, hand-held device,” said Mike Hettmann, Boeing’s director of tactical ISR, in the company’s Feb. 20 release. The company received an initial $3 million contract for this work; if the Air Force exercises all options for production, the contract’s total value could reach more than $100 million, states the release. LOS-S is part of the Air Force’s broader efforts to upgrade the suite of gear that battlefield airmen carry into combat. The system offers improved target detection, recognition, laser designation, and friendly fire avoidance capabilities, said Boeing.
Competitors Not Picked for CCA Look Forward to Increment 2
April 25, 2024
While none of the major aircraft contractors were selected to develop the Collaborative Combat Aircraft, all three say they are seeking further autonomous aircraft work for the Navy, foreign partners, or in the classified arena, and maybe future versions of the CCA itself.