An electro-optical, infrared laser sensor system that enhances the ability of ships to detect potential threats has been ordered by NATO.

Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. said the order for the Seasparrow long-range electro-optical infrared laser sensor system, or SLREOSS, was issued by the NATO Seasparrow Program Office and worth an initial $23.9 million, with options worth an additional $10 million.

Under the contract, Ball Aerospace will transition the current Stalker sensor developmental prototype design to production and in direct mount and independent mount configurations.

"Stalker provides an important capability to the NATO Seasparrow missile system," said Rob Freedman, vice president and general manager for Ball's Tactical Solutions business unit. "Ball's improved technology and independent mount application will provide increased ship self-defense capability across more of the U.S. Naval fleet -- providing protection against new threats at sea."

The Seasparrow is an anti-ship and air defense missile system installed on a number of ships of NATO member states, including the U.S. Navy. The new sensor system improves upon the missile systems original sensor capability to detect, identify and classify potential threats, including small boats.

Ball Aerospace currently has three experimental and eight developmental sensor system prototypes based on its original Stalker sensor system, currently installed on multiple ships.