In support of the Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Reconnaissance Vehicle Sensor Suite Upgrade (NBCRV SSU) program for the U.S. Army, FLIR Systems has been awarded a $26 million contract modification.

As a follow-on to a $48 million contract announced in April 2019, the Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreement was awarded through the Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Defense (JPEO-CBRND). 

The lead integrator in modernizing the Army’s NBCRV system with improved and autonomous CBRN sensors, FLIR delivered initial prototypes of the NBCRV SSU system earlier this year for a focused assessment at Fort Bliss, Texas. The FLIR prototype was used by soldiers in realistic battlefield scenarios to sense and rapidly avoid CBRN hazards.

Through the new contract, FLIR will continue developing the Sensor Suite and to deliver mature prototypes for government testing in 2021.

Among other third-party solutions, the NBCRV Sensor Suite will feature capabilities of the FLIR R80D SkyRaider drone equipped with a specialized version of the FLIR IBAC bio-detection sensor.

To expand the system’s use with manned-unmanned teams, the NBCRV will be paired with a ground robotic vehicle during the next phase. A FLIR-developed command and control system will bring together all devices and platforms with sensor fusion and automation features that reduce the cognitive burden on users and improve decision-making.

“Our ability to build and integrate manned and unmanned sensing solutions across a wide threat space is where FLIR differentiates itself,” says Vice President and General Manager of the Unmanned Systems & Integrated Solutions business at FLIR, Roger Wells.

“Incorporating UAV and UGV platforms into NBCRV aligns with our efforts to develop full sensing capabilities that can act as force multipliers and boost mission success for our troops.

FLIR is supporting other efforts by JPEO-CBRND. The company has won two contracts worth more than $55 million in the last year to field its FLIR Agentase C2 chemical warfare disclosure spray, which is formulated to detect nerve agents like VX and sarin, as well as blister agents such as sulfur mustard

Work on the NBCRV program has begun and is expected to continue through 2022 at FLIR facilities in West Lafayette, Indiana; Stillwater, Oklahoma; and Elkridge, Maryland.