UTX Unit's MS-177 To Boost USAF's Long Distance Visibility

UTC Aerospace Systems,a unit of United Technologies Corporation (NYSE:UTX) recently completed the first flight test of its latest MS-177 long-range, multi-spectral imaging sensor on the Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC) RQ-4B Global Hawk Unmanned Aircraft System. The company initiated the test on Feb 8, at the Northrop Grumman facility.

UTC Aerospace was awarded this contract by the U.S. Air Force (USAF) on Sep 19, 2016. Per the contract, UTC Aerospace would expand and enhance the sensor's multi-spectral resolution reach for USAF. With the application of this technology in its planes, the U.S. military will be able to see airborne images at a greater distance with enhanced clarity.

The MS-177 was built upon the expertise and success of UTC Aerospace's Senior Year Electro-Optical Reconnaissance System sensor, which is currently used in the U-2S aircraft. The MS-177 is the new benchmark in imaging intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance sensors. Its integration into the Global Hawk platform expands the mission capability that the company provides. The MS-177 Family of Systems sensor will offer improved image resolution over a longer span. It will also provide enhanced coverage area per hour compared to other Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) sensors in the U.S. military inventory. This sensor system can operate from multiple ISR platforms, satisfying military requirements to improve operations both on land and sea.

With the completion of the Global Hawk flight, MS-177 is slated to commence a six-month integration, testing and qualification phase before it officially takes the field in the second half of 2017.

Owing to its continuous contract wins and its capabilities to constantly deliver innovative and best in class services to its clients, the company outperformed the Zacks categorized Diversified Operations industry, over the last 90 days. It returned 1.9% compared with 1.1% gain for the industry.

Based in Hartford, CT, United Technologies provides high-end technology products and services to the building systems and aerospace industries worldwide. The company serves various end markets such as aerospace, defense and commercial construction. The business diversification allows the company to remain profitable amid tough economic times.

United Technologies currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Some better-ranked stocks in the industry include 3M Company (NYSE:MMM) , Barloworld Limited (OTC:BRRAY) and Bunzl (LON:BNZL) plc (OTC:BZLFY) , each carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

3M has a long-term earnings growth expectation of 9.7% and is currently trading at a forward P/E of 22x.

Barloworld has a long-term earnings growth expectation of 18.7%.

Bunzl has a long-term earnings growth expectation of 7.5% and is currently trading at a forward P/E of 20.7x.

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