Cubic to provide laser data link for sniper system
Cubic Defense Applications, the defense systems business of Cubic Corporation, has received a $2.5 million contract to provide an optical data link system to the contractor team developing a new small-caliber guided weapon system for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).
The goal of the Extreme Accuracy Tasked Ordnance (EXACTO) system is to produce a guided, actively controlled 50-caliber sniper rifle system with significantly improved range and accuracy over current systems. Cubic is under contract to Teledyne Scientific & Imaging LLC, prime contractor for the EXACTO program, to develop optical command link components for the fire control and guidance subsystems.
"EXACTO will enable our ground troops to operate with greater precision at long range and under difficult environmental conditions," said Steve Sampson, vice president of Advanced Programs for Cubic Defense Applications. "Our optical link will be a critical piece of this new guided system."
The new endeavor draws upon the company's past research and development efforts in optical communications, including creation of two-way optical combat identification system designed to reduce the incidence of fratricide. Cubic developed the combat ID solution with funding from DARPA and the US Army.
Source: Cubic Corporation
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