BAE Systems’ Airborne Wide Area Persistent Surveillance System (AWAPSS) recently surpassed the 10,000th flight hour milestone while supporting the U.S. Army. AWAPSS provides simultaneous day/night high-resolution imagery over a large area, giving users unprecedented situational awareness in any environment.

“This capability also allows the ground commander to have back-tracking ability over significant geographic areas,” said Howard Weinstein, Director of Persistent Surveillance Programs at BAE Systems in Greenlawn, New York, where the sensors are developed.

“We expect to add this unique capability to additional platforms as the company develops the next-generation day/night sensor,” he added.

BAE Systems won a $24 million contract in 2009 to develop the universal sensor, which is housed in a compact, 21-inch turret and can be used on multiple aircraft types.

Entering operation in early 2011, four AWAPSS sensors are in service with the US Army today.