FORT WORTH, TEXAS, May 18, 2014 – Elbit Systems of America, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Elbit Systems, Ltd., has been awarded two contracts, totaling $14.1 million, supporting the U.S. Marine Corps’ upgrade of their Bell AH-1W attack helicopter fleet.
One contract, in the amount of $11.6 million, calls for Elbit Systems of America to provide helmet display tracker system (HDTS) kits on the aircraft. The HDTS significantly improves flight safety by providing crew members greater situational awareness with enhanced night vision, weapons sighting, and weapons control capabilities. The contract will be performed over a 2–year period.
The second contract, in the amount of $2.5 million, will add tactical video data link (TVDL) technology to the helicopters. TVDL provides aircrew information needed to detect, identify and quickly respond to threats. The information can be received via on-board sensors or from external sources such as ground troops or other aircraft. Additionally, the information can be communicated back and forth, so all soldiers in a given area, be they on the ground or in the air, will have the same intelligence data when making mission-critical tactical decisions. The contract will be performed over a 15-month period.
“The HDTS and TVDL are two more technologies Elbit Systems of America is deploying with the singular end result of protecting and saving lives,” said Elbit Systems of America President and CEO Raanan Horowitz. “The AH-1W is on the front lines in the battle against those who wish to harm America. These new technologies give our Marines capabilities and a level of safety never before experienced.”