U.S. approves sale of night vision equipment to Pakistan: Media report

Washington [USA], Dec. 24 (ANI): According to Pakistani media reports, the U.S. Department of Defence has awarded a USD 284.6 million contract to Lockheed Martin to produce infrared target sight systems for the U.S. Navy and Pakistan. The Pentagon announced on Friday that the system will be used for the AH-1Z Cobra attack helicopters, which has proved very effective in combat against militants, particularly in difficult terrain, reports the Dawn. The AH-1Z Cobra attack helicopter is used by US Marine Corps Expeditionary Force. The TSS incorporates a third-generation forward-looking infrared sensor that provides target sighting in day, night, or in adverse weather conditions. A Pentagon press release describes the TSS system as a large-aperture mid-wave forward-looking infrared sensor with a laser designator/rangefinder turret. It provides the capability to identify and laser-designate targets at maximum weapon range, significantly enhancing platform survivability and lethality. The company's Orlando-based missile and fire control unit will produce the sight system in Orlando and Ocala, Florida, through January 2022 for the US Navy and Pakistan under the foreign military sales portion of the award, the Pentagon said. The contract has a base value of USD 150.96 million but its accumulative cost would go up to USD 284.6 million. The Government of Pakistan will pay about 12 per cent of the total cost through an arrangement with the United States under the Foreign Military Sales programme. In January, Lockheed Martin received a smaller contract of USD 14 million to provide the same target system for Pakistan. The contracts include software development and testing, system modification, and installation requirements to integrate the TSS into the Cobra helicopters. The TSS provides target information and tracking data for the helicopter, in addition to passive targeting for integrated weapons. Work on the first contract, performed in Florida, would be completed by December 2017. (ANI)