The US Air Force will acquire multispectral sensors to support its Predator / Reaper unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) programme in a deal with Raytheon worth $87m.

The contract includes 35 model A multispectral targeting systems and 25 model B multispectral targeting systems, pre-production units with one retrofit gyro and one retrofit imager, and associated systems replaceable unit spares and containers.

The USAF Reaper and Predator UAVs will be fitted with the sensor to equip it with an electro-optical and infrared full-motion video camera system for long-range surveillance and high-altitude acquisition, tracking and laser designation.