Teledyne FLIR Defense wins US Army contract to upgrade NBCRV Sensor Suite for CBRN Threat Detection.

According to a PR published by Teledyne FLIR Defense on November 12, 2024, the subsidiary of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated, has secured a substantial $168.3 million Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract with the U.S. Army for the modernization of the Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Reconnaissance Vehicle (NBCRV) Sensor Suite on the M1135 Stryker platform.
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The NBCRV sensor suite includes the FLIR Defense R80D SkyRaider UAV integrated with FLIR's MUVE B330 biological detection payload, designed for small unmanned aerial systems. (Picture source: US Army)

The initial delivery order under this contract, valued at $7.5 million, paves the way for low-rate initial production of the upgraded NBCRV Sensor Suite, with work scheduled to continue through 2029. The modernization program aims to provide autonomous detection capabilities, significantly improving the effectiveness and speed of identifying and mitigating hazardous substances in operational environments.

Teledyne FLIR Defense is at the forefront as the lead integrator for these sensor upgrades, introducing advanced CBRN sensors with enhanced automation features to ease the cognitive load on military personnel and improve decision-making. Prior to this contract, Teledyne FLIR had delivered prototype sensor suites for government testing, which produced successful outcomes, leading to this substantial production contract.

A standout feature of the upgraded NBCRV system is its integration of the FLIR Defense R80D SkyRaider™ drone, equipped with the MUVE™ B330 biological detection payload. This configuration enables a robust small unmanned aerial system (sUAS) platform designed for remote biological detection, enhancing the mobility and reach of the NBCRV’s CBRN capabilities.

A comprehensive command and control system developed by FLIR will centralize and streamline the operation of all sensors and devices on the NBCRV platform. This system employs sensor fusion and automation to improve situational awareness, reduce operational strain on troops, and accelerate response times.

This modernization of the NBCRV Sensor Suite will serve as a critical line of defense for U.S. military personnel, enhancing mission safety and operational efficacy in hazardous and complex environments.

In the context of the battlefield, NRBC threats—covering nuclear, radiological, biological, and chemical dangers—pose significant and complex challenges to military operations. These threats require a comprehensive approach to ensure the safety and effectiveness of military personnel under high-risk conditions.

Nuclear and radiological threats involve both the devastating explosive power of nuclear devices and the contamination hazards associated with dispersed radioactive materials, creating long-term risks to health and environment. Such hazards can severely impact military logistics and limit troop movement in affected areas, as the long-lasting contamination zones disrupt both operational strategy and area security. Biological threats, by contrast, use infectious agents to disable or kill through disease outbreaks, often with a stealthy onset that complicates early detection. These pathogens can spread quickly, endangering troops and civilians alike, necessitating rapid medical response and quarantine measures.

Chemical threats, using toxins to cause immediate physical harm, challenge forces to act under restrictive conditions where protective suits, masks, and decontamination protocols are essential but often burdensome. Protective measures, while effective, can slow operations and increase fatigue, requiring well-practiced protocols and resilience from personnel. Modern militaries thus invest heavily in detection systems, training, and simulation exercises to help soldiers operate effectively under NRBC threat conditions. From advanced sensors to simulate real-time exposure in exercises, these preparations ensure that forces can detect, protect against, and respond to NRBC hazards efficiently, sustaining both operational capability and personnel safety on the battlefield.