BAE Systems has won a contract worth up to $434m (£287m) to provide US soldiers with combined night-vision goggles and thermal sights.

The defence company has developed a system that unites the picture from thermal imaging sights mounted on troops’ weapons, which work by detecting heat differences, and night vision goggles, which enhance the available light to produce a wider image. Four-Eyes Goggles

Currently soldiers use their night-vision goggles for overall situational awareness, but have to raise their weapon and look down their sight to aim.

BAE’s product transmits the picture from the weapon’s sight to the goggles, meaning soldiers do not have to look down their guns to see what is in their crosshairs.

Bringing the two together images together should speed up the time its takes to engage a target, once it has been acquired by the soldier on night vision goggles. The company said it should also allow troops to acquire targets more stealthily.

“Supplying the US Army with this new rapid target acquisition technology builds on our heritage as a long-time provider of thermal weapon sights and precision targeting solutions,” said Terry Crimmins, vice-president of BAE’s survivability and targeting solutions.

"The ability to conduct surveillance in any light or weather condition increases mission safety and effectiveness.”

Four-Eyes Goggles BAE is developing the new combined system at its factory in Hudson, New Hampshire.