22 May02. DRS Technologies, Inc. announced that it has been awarded a $12m contract option from the U.S. Marine Corps for the second phase of the M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank Firepower Enhancement Program (FEP).
Successful completion of this Final Integration and Prove-Out Phase award leads to the exercise of additional contract options for the production of more than 400 systems, bringing the total contract value to approximately $123m.
This latest award was the result of the exercise of an option and the successful completion of the initial Competitive Integration and Development Phase contract, valued at $3.2m. For this second phase award, DRS will build and integrate a Second Generation Forward Looking Infrared (SG FLIR) Thermal Imaging System for the gunner’s sighting system on the Marine Corps’ Abrams Main Battle Tank, significantly increasing its imaging resolution, targeting range, detection capability and reliability. DRS also will provide a Far Target Locator, modifications to all training and support equipment, and installation and support of the FEP system after delivery. This contract utilizes the company’s latest low-cost signal processing FLIRs and the 480-by-4 infrared focal plane array currently in production.
27 May 02. BAE SYSTEMS Avionics has recently signed a multi-million pound development contract with AgustaWestland. BAE SYSTEMS will be a member of a team, which includes Westland Helicopters, FHL (formerly Claverham) and the UK Ministry of Defence, which will develop a digital flight control computer as part of the Helicopter Electric Actuation Technology (HEAT) programme. In this development conventional power hydraulic systems, which help the pilot to control the aircraft, are replaced by all-electric controls. The HEAT programme, jointly funded by Industry and the UK Ministry of Defence, will be demonstrated on an EH101 helicopter.
6 Jun 02. Raytheon Company was awarded a $78m U.S. Navy contract for a second Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) of the ASQ-228 Advanced Targeting Forward Looking Infrared (ATFLIR) pod, the latest generation in targeting technology. The company’s Air Combat and Strike Systems business unit is responsible for ATFLIR.
LRIP-2 represents the next major milestone in the ATFLIR program. Raytheon will deliver 28 pods for the F/A-18 E/F and two pod adapter units for the F/A-18 C/D. The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps are programmed to receive 574 pods with spares to
equip their F/A-18 C/D and E/F aircraft.