MSI Sensor Brings Resolution, Range and Precision Identification Capabilities

The USAF has completed its first operational mission using an RQ-4B GLOBAL HAWK UAS carrying a Collins Aerospace MS-177 multi-spectral imaging (MSI) sensor, the company announced on 20 September.

The MS-177 long range wide area MSI sensor enhances the GLOBAL HAWK’s ISR mission capabilities by providing greater standoff range and more actionable intelligence, to address challenges and achieve overmatch on the battlefield.

Northrop Grumman’s GLOBAL HAWK is the USAF’s premier autonomous high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) ISR platform. No other system provides a better combination of range, endurance and payload capacity, as demonstrated by its continuous use to collect intelligence and deter regional threats for the past two decades. The MS-177 family of systems consists of long-range ISR sensors that provide advanced MSI capability, enabling high-resolution, long-range focus and precise identification of targets and situational awareness, day and night, on land or sea.

“Sensors will play a key role in helping the GLOBAL HAWK support the Joint All Domain Command and Control (JADC2) battlespace as it provides near-real-time visual intelligence to the USAF, thereby increasing situational awareness for the joint force,” commented Dave McClure, VP/GM ISR & Space Solutions for Collins Aerospace. “For decades, Collins has been a leader in making MSI sensors for high altitude ISR both fieldable and operational for military missions.”

The MS-177 sensor evolved from the proven Senior Year Electro-optical Reconnaissance System (SYERS)-2C flown on manned aircraft. SYERS has serviced combatant commander’s intelligence needs for over 20 years and has regularly been enhanced to keep pace with evolving combat threats. The MS-177 now provides increased mission capabilities to the RQ-4B GLOBAL HAWK Block 30 to meet current and evolving mission needs and threats.