The US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) has selected United Technologies subsidiary UTC Aerospace Systems for its mid-endurance unmanned aircraft systems (MEUAS III) programme.

Under the deal, UTC Aerospace will operate as a subcontractor to the two companies to support MEUAS III task orders.

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As part of the contract, the company will be responsible for delivering its TASE400 long range spotter (LRS), TASE400 DXR imaging systems and Piccolo flight management system.

UTC’s TASE and Piccolo systems will help equip the unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) with the technology required to complete their global intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions in support of US troops.

“The two TASE400 imaging systems will be used to collect full-motion video using various energy sensor wavelengths.”

UTC Aerospace Systems airborne ISR vice-president and general manager Kevin Raftery said: “With more than 300,000 operational hours in demanding environments, the TASE imaging systems are built on a legacy of providing actionable intelligence.

“With our Piccolo system, we are providing USSOCOM with a complete flight management solution tailored for the UAVs undertaking these critical missions across the globe.

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“Our business is built on a mission-centric approach, and adding these UTC Aerospace Systems capabilities to the MEUAS programme will enhance our customers’ mission success.”

The two TASE400 imaging systems will be used to collect full-motion video using various energy sensor wavelengths.

The Piccolo flight management system will ensure precise navigation with global positioning system (GPS) / inertial navigation system (INS) accuracy to support complex missions.

USSOCOM awarded an indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract with a maximum value of $475m to Textron Systems’ Unmanned Systems unit and Boeing’s Insitu subsidiary to compete for unmanned aircraft task orders.

Textron Systems’ unit offered its Aerosonde UAV for the MEUAS III and Insitu provided its ScanEagle UAV.

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