Teledyne FLIR Wins $74.2 Million Deal to Upgrade Sensors on U.S. Army Stryker NBCRV Vehicles

Teledyne FLIR Defense has secured a significant $74.2 million contract from the U.S. Army to upgrade the sensor suite on the M1135 Stryker Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Reconnaissance Vehicle (NBCRV). This four-year agreement will help the Army strengthen its detection capabilities against nuclear, biological, chemical, and radiological (CBRN) threats, ensuring that soldiers remain protected on the battlefield.

The NBCRV plays a crucial role in identifying dangerous agents during missions and relaying early warnings back to command centers. With rising global concerns about unconventional weapons, especially in conflict zones and terrorist hotspots, such upgrades have become vital to safeguarding U.S. military personnel.

Teledyne FLIR will act as the lead integrator for the next-generation sensor suite, combining its own advanced technologies with third-party components to create a more robust and autonomous system. One of the highlights of the upgrade is the inclusion of the FLIR R80D SkyRaider™ drone, which is paired with the MUVE B330—an airborne biological detection payload. This drone-based approach will allow soldiers to safely identify threats from a distance, minimizing direct exposure to hazardous environments.

Additionally, Teledyne is developing a custom-built command and control system that will use automation and sensor fusion to streamline data processing and enhance battlefield decision-making. This integration will give soldiers a clearer, faster understanding of threats in real-time, significantly improving their response capabilities.

This isn’t Teledyne FLIR’s first involvement with the NBCRV program. In 2023, it delivered prototype systems for Army testing, which helped pave the way for a $168 million production contract awarded in November. The newly announced $74.2 million contract builds on that progress, funding the development of six more prototypes, enhanced hazard prediction software, and support for continued testing.

The work will be carried out across Teledyne FLIR’s facilities in Stillwater, Oklahoma; Elkridge, Maryland; and Tucson, Arizona, with the project expected to run through 2028.

From a strategic viewpoint, this upgrade reflects the U.S. military’s growing emphasis on automation, unmanned systems, and early threat detection. As warfare becomes more complex and unpredictable, particularly with the rise of chemical and biological weapons, the ability to detect and respond to such threats quickly is more important than ever.

By investing in advanced sensor technologies like those from Teledyne FLIR, the U.S. Army is not just modernizing its vehicles but also laying the groundwork for a more resilient and responsive defense system. This move also underlines the increasing role of drones and remote sensing in military operations, setting a precedent for future reconnaissance and threat-detection platforms.

In short, the sensor suite upgrade for the Stryker NBCRV isn't just about adding new tech—it's about giving soldiers better tools to face one of the most dangerous and invisible threats in modern warfare.