Marine Corps upgrade helicopters with target system for $34M

The U.S. Marine Corps awarded a $34 million contract to Lockheed Martin on Aug. 28 to modernize helicopters with an updated target and tracking system. The AN/AAQ-30 Target Sight System will be integrated into the AH-1Z Cobra attack helicopter as part of the U.S. Marine Corps H-1 upgrade program, reported Washington Technology, a Defense Systems sister publication.

The system includes improved target identification and tracking, passive targeting for integrated weapons and laser designation capability supporting friendly laser-guided weapons. Work is expected to be completed by November 2015 and the updated helicopters will replace legacy SuperCobra and Twin Huey fleets.