United States. Teledyne FLIR announced it won a development contract worth up to $15.7 million with the U.S. Defense Threat Reduction Agency's Joint Science and Technology Office (DTRA JSTO) to develop new battlefield threat mapping and visualization tools.
The technology will enable the ability to digitally map hazmat threats from sensor data and "see" their exact location via mixed reality on mobile phones, tablets and head-up displays (HUDs).
Teledyne FLIR will work with partners to develop software to accurately locate, measure and map chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) hazards for viewing within the Tactical Assault Kit (TAK) toolkit. The threat map will be displayed on a 'transparent' augmented reality (AR) display by those running TAK on their electronic devices, as well as futuristic HUD devices such as the Integrated Display Augmentation System (IVAS).
Funded by DTRA's digital battlespace management office, the aim of the programme is to provide better real-time CBRN situational awareness and enable TAK users to see and avoid chemical and biological hazards. The project will also allow future ivaS-equipped individuals to visualize chemical and biological threats and receive real-time decision-making support when performing reconnaissance and decontamination missions. In addition, the program lays the foundation for artificial intelligence (AI) and AR for the Army's autonomous decontamination efforts.
"To protect our troops wherever they are deployed, we need to leverage the most advanced battlefield detection and management technologies to counter the lethal risk posed by chemical and biological weapons," said Dr. David Cullin, general manager of Teledyne FLIR's integrated and unmanned solutions business. "We are proud to lead this effort that will help our fighters intuitively visualize dangerous chemical and biological threats, while also advancing future capabilities linked to IVAS and autonomous robotic decontamination."
The contract will fund the development of a flexible mission prototype consisting of networked biochemical sensors and AR visualization tools that DTRA will evaluate over the course of various events. The award comprises a base period of 12 months, three options of 12 months, plus other optional tasks. The work will be done at Teledyne FLIR's headquarters in Pittsburgh.
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