ITAS contract extension for Raytheon

is to extend production and delivery of Improved Target Acquisition Systems (ITAS) under a $161.8m contract from the US Army Aviation and Missile Command. The order marks the second major ITAS contract award in 2006 and continues US Marine Corps and US Army procurement of the systems.

ITAS is the advanced Electro-Optic Target Acquisition Fire Control System. According to Raytheon, it precisely guides the TOW (Tube-Launched, Optically Tracked, Wire-Guided) weapon systems to their targets. The targeting system significantly increases TOW's effective range, improves the weapon's ability to hit a target with minimal collateral damage and allows a soldier to engage and destroy targets from safe distances.

ITAS's 2nd generation FLIR (forward-looking infrared) sensor provides long-range reconnaissance and surveillance capability in all weather and battlefield conditions.

The US Army has been using ITAS in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.