Army Contracts Common Sensor Payload

The U.S. Army awarded a new delivery order with Raytheon Technologies to procure common sensor payload (CSP) version 3 (v3) systems for the U.S. Army and National Guard, which will include a target location accuracy (TLA) capability. The contract was awarded as an undefinitized contract action (UCA) with a $118 million ceiling through an existing indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract, with fielding expected to initiate in fiscal year 2027.

The common sensor payload is an electro-optical/infrared/laser designator sensor for battlefield commanders, which supports force application, battlespace awareness, force protection, and net-centric operations across the battlefield and operates on the MQ-1C Gray Eagle uncrewed aircraft system (UAS).

The target location accuracy capability enables precision, near-real time engagements with coordinate seeking weapons by reducing the sensor-to-shooter process from minutes to seconds. This will provide the division commander joint fires engagement options for coordinate seeking weapons.

“In addition to the [target location accuracy] capability, the updated CSP will have several enhancements over the previous version,” said Dennis Teefy, PD Sensors Aerial Intelligence. “It will have an improved camera with short-wave infrared capabilities, which will enable better resolution in low light scenarios. It also addresses hardware obsolescence in the current [common sensor payload] version 2 to ensure sustainment can continue well into the future.”

The Army pursued a undefinitized contract action for the CSP v3 procurement to meet the urgency of the MQ-1C Gray Eagle UAS production line and fielding schedule. PD SAI is a partner with Project Manager Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (PM UAS) who is the Office of Primary Responsibility for the MQ-1C Gray Eagle UAS. PM UAS leverages PD SAI sensor expertise across multiple systems within their portfolio.