Lockheed Martin and Altavian provide UAS sensors for US Army

Lockheed Martin’s partner, Altavin Inc., entered a $4 million contract to provide gimbaled sensor payloads for the U.S. Army’s RQ-20 Puma small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS). The payloads include Lockheed Martin’s Procerus Technologies Perceptor gimbaled imaging sensors.

“The latest Perceptor payload technologies will provide the warfighter with unparalleled capabilities,” said Kevin Westfall, director of unmanned solutions for Lockheed Martin’s mission systems and training business. “Its advanced imaging and stabilization will enhance operations such as gathering intelligence, providing situational awareness, and keeping the warfighter out of harm’s way.”

The Gimbal is one of the smallest in the market and it provides intelligence and situational awareness to the warfighter using real-time infrared and visible-spectrum video with laser illumination capabilities.

“The form-fit function that it provides to the U.S. Army for their puma aircraft will bring not only improved performance to the work fire, but also at a better price point to the U.S. Army,” said Dave Pringle, site general manager at Lockheed Martin for Procerus Technologies.

Along with working with the U.S. Army, Pringle said one of his main focus areas is looking for opportunities within the Department of Defense.

“We’re excited to be a part of the U.S. Army program and we look forward to continuing that relationship with the U.S. Army and other Departments of Defense and to bring other products and technologies to them,” said Pringle.

According to Lockheed Martin, the jointly developed payload has completed U.S. Army product verification tests which allows the payload to be available to all branches of the military and Special Forces.

“Altavian is committed to supporting the warfighter and providing value to our government customers,” said John Perry, CEO of Altavian. “This partnership brought together Altavian’s agile technology development approach and small business efficiency with Lockheed Martin’s extensive experience and engineering leadership.”

“Now that we’re qualified to fly on a platform, it’ll just be a year-over-year sparing of putting a competitive price in against our competitors to supply Gimbals on the Puma platform for the next several years,” said Pringle.