The U.S. Army awarded Lockheed Martin a $383 million contract to maintain, operate and sustain the Persistent Threat Detection System (PTDS).

The tethered aerostat, equipped with multiple sensors, provides around-the-clock reconnaissance and surveillance of broad geographic areas for troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Army’s Program Executive Office for Intelligence, Electronic Warfare and Sensors, Project Manager for Robotic and Unmanned Sensors, based at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., will provide program and acquisition management.