DRS TECHNOLOGIES AWARDED U.S. AIR FORCE EnRAP CONTRACT
15 Jul 04. DRS Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: DRS – News) announced that it is being awarded a new $69m contract from the U.S. Air Force to provide significant improvements to test and evaluation range capabilities under the Enhanced Range Applications Program (EnRAP). EnRAP is expected to provide next-generation test and evaluation range data systems to U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army and U.S. Navy test ranges to meet Department of Defense requirements for comprehensive testing of advanced combat systems. EnRAP is an Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD)-sponsored, tri-service range modernization program for ten Major Range Test Facility Bases (MRTFB) located across the United States to support technically demanding systems, such as the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), F-22 Raptor, F-117 Nighthawk, F-15 Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon, B-1 Lancer, B-2 Spirit, V-22 Osprey, F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and SH-60R Seahawk helicopter. EnRAP, a development and production program, is a phased-in replacement for the Advanced Range Data System (ARDS) also produced by DRS and will provide state-of-the-art data link encryption and wireless data link technology, as well as unprecedented precise position information through more accurate and enhanced Global Positioning System (GPS) and inertial Time Space Position Information (TSPI) technologies.
Initial funding of $10.2m was received by DRS from the U.S. Air Force Air Armament Center (AAC) Range Instrumentation Support (RIS) office at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. Work for this contract will be accomplished by the company’s DRS Training & Control Systems unit in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Development is expected to continue through July 2007, followed by production, which will continue through 2010.
“This contract solidifies DRS as the world leader in the flight test and evaluation market and will allow us to infuse new technology into test and evaluation ranges for the next ten years,” said Fred L. Marion, president of DRS’s Surveillance & Reconnaissance Group. “The strong demand for accurate instrumentation requires the development of cutting edge technology, which will provide a platform for many other future applications, such as training instrumentation. With this award, DRS will continue to support the test and evaluation ranges in their efforts to ensure our war fighters are equipped with the most robust and accurate platform and weapons systems available.”
The EnRAP system will provide miniaturized, modular instrumentation packages for internal mounting, as well as instrumentation pods for external mounting, offering added flexibility and standardization over current models. In addition, it will support the Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) hardware-compatible data link, targeted to host the future JTRS Range Instrumentation Waveform for improved communications capability between legacy systems.
Major subcontractors for this effort include Rockwell Collins (NYSE: COL – News) of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, which will contribute EnRAP data link and GPS support, and Tracking & Imaging Systems, Inc. of St. Petersburg, Florida, which will provide precision GPS engineering support.
DRS Training & Control Systems designs, produces and supports high-reliability defense electronics for shipboard, land and air applications, including advanced test and evaluation systems, control systems for missile launching and guided bombs, air combat test and training systems, electronic warfare systems and threat radar simulation equipment. It also provides upgrade and refurbishing services for ground combat vehicles and air cargo handling systems.