Raytheon has been awarded a $16.5 million U.S. Army contract to provide the electro- optic/infrared/laser designator (EO/IR/LD) payload for use on the Army's Extended Range Multi-Purpose (ERMP) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems (SAS) is responsible for the ERMP multi-sensor payload, which will be manufactured and managed by its Precision Attack and Surveillance Systems (PASS) business area based in McKinney, Texas.

"We welcome the opportunity to bring industry-leading reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition performance to the Army's ERMP UAV," said PASS Vice President Mike Proch.

"In doing so, Raytheon will leverage its long heritage of proven EO/IR expertise to provide dependable unmanned airborne sensor technology – advanced technology that captures the information today's soldiers require to assure mission success and retain battlespace dominance."