Night Vision Systems - Eng Dev

This project focuses on transitioning demonstrated technologies that bring improvements to provide a modular, fused digital awareness system that enhances lethality, mobility, and situational awareness for dismounted Soldiers to achieve overmatch against our current and future adversaries. Funded efforts will drive competition with multiple vendors, establish a modular open system architecture for major components, accelerate and improve thermal and low light sensor suites, terrain shared coordinate data and processing, algorithms including machine learning/artificial intelligence, human machine integration, and demonstrations in support of the next generation augmented vision, night vision, and situational awareness capabilities. Efforts will provide rapid decision making and targeting capabilities with the integration of external video and data sources such as weapon sights, air and ground platforms, unmanned air and ground assets, and other data sources enabled by edge computing devices, advanced network services, and open resilient architecture. This project includes costs for efforts associated with edge computing devices, movement of information and high-level processing, integration, and interface of products/capabilities with the Soldiers as a platform. To enable such data movement and integration, this project funds the establishment and baselining of a Squad architecture. Funding for this project aligns with the Army's Continuous Transformation priorities and National Defense Strategy. This project supports the Futures and Concepts Command (FCC) Maneuver Future Capability Directorate. The total cost of the Integrated Visual Augmentation Systems IVAS 1.2, Rapid Prototyping Middle Tier of Acquisition (RP MTA) effort is $798.10 million RDT&E from FY 2022 to FY 2027. The total cost of the Soldier Borne Mission Command (SBMC) Rapid Prototyping Middle Tier of Acquisition (RP MTA) effort is $429.8 million RDT&E from FY 2025 to FY 2027.

Future Advanced Long-range Common Optical Netted-fires Sensor (FALCONS) is the next generation sensor for Reconnaissance and Fires missions to enhance lethality and survivability of Brigade Combat Teams (BCTs) in Large Scale Combat Operations (LSCO). FALCONS provides interoperability between ground platforms and dismounted personnel through a Common Operational Picture (COP) of the battlefield and interchangeable components. The enhanced capabilities of FALCONS provide the ability to detect threats at greater distances in full spectrum conflict, terrain, and weather conditions with greater image resolution to develop civil considerations. FALCONS capabilities will be part of the system of systems approach enabled by current or future data sharing networks and transport layers to transmit target quality data to effectors in operational and tactical environments maintaining overmatch in the FY 2030 and FY 2040 timeframe. FALCONS equipped systems will be part of an Army FY 2030 and FY 2040 force that is decisive in varying operations against threats in environments of national interest. The Army requires FALCONS equipped forces be operationally responsive and able to adapt and exploit patterns of operations faster than the enemy, while dominating situations and adversaries. FALCONS equipped systems are a key entity of maneuver and fires tactical forces, and provides versatility, agility, and lethality. FY 2027 funding in the amount of $37.717M will support FALCONS MTA-RP detailed design phase and procurement of "long lead" items for the Prototype development phase beginning in early FY 2028.

Project L79 supports the Joint Effects Targeting System (JETS) program and the development of Handheld Fires (HHF), which addresses the one-man, hand-held precision targeting gap identified by the Fires Center of Excellence (FCoE). JETS is a lightweight, handheld system that will provide the single dismounted observer with a common, enhanced day and night thermal capability to rapidly acquire, accurately locate, positively identify, and precisely designate targets. The Handheld Fires System will be an advanced precision targeting system incorporating improved target acquisition sensors and optics, improved targeting sensors, targeting algorithms, and a Military Code (M-Code) Global Positing System (GPS) receiver while reducing size, weight, and power requirements.

The project supports the 3rd Generation Forward Looking Infrared (3GEN FLIR) B-Kit program, which incorporates the next generation of forward-looking infrared technologies. The 3GEN FLIR program provides a common 3GEN FLIR B-Kit for integration into US Army FLIR sensor systems in accordance with the approved Improved Forward Looking Infrared (I-FLIR) Capability Development Document (CDD). The common 3GEN FLIR B-Kit will integrate with XM30, FALCONS, and future platforms; with potential 3GEN FLIR component utilization opportunities for future reconnaissance and airborne applications. The 3GEN FLIR B-Kit provides Mid Wave Infrared and Long Wave Infrared digital video and the electronic interfaces required to integrate the 3GEN FLIR technology with the host platform sensor. When integrated in platform sensor packages, 3GEN FLIR technology enhances the warfighters' survivability and lethality through increased identification range performance, while enabling the detection of difficult or obscured targets and faster threat detection through automated processes. Executing Army guidance to implement advancements in digital processing and artificial intelligence has positioned 3GEN FLIR as the lead sensor to provide the Army's path forward for AI/ML capabilities for ground platforms. The 3GEN FLIR B-Kit program is key to the maintenance of the Army's FLIR industrial base.

Project L67 develops, improves and miniaturizes high performance electro-optics, thermal and laser systems. It also provides for systems integration of related multi-sensor suites to enable near to long-range target acquisition and engagement as well as improved battlefield command and control in around-the-clock combat operations. It focuses on adapting demonstrated technologies that bring improvements to the dismounted Soldiers' equipment. This project develops or enhances equipment that provides the individual Soldier's day/night situational awareness and individual targeting capability and supports the Army's Situational Awareness Strategy (SAS). This project includes cost associated with efforts for the development, integration and interface of products on Soldiers head, body and weapons. Funding in this project aligns with the Army's priorities in support of the National Defense Strategy.