DRS TECHNOLOGIES’ JOINT PLATFORM TABLET MRT COMPUTERS SELECTED FOR U.S. ARMY’S VEHICLE-BASED MOVEMENT TRACKING SYSTEM (MTS) PROGRAM
27 May 09. DRS Technologies, Inc. announced today that it received a $217m contract to produce rugged computing systems which include Joint Platform Tablet military rugged tablet (MRT) computers, keyboards, docking stations, interface cables and base plates in support of the Movement Tracking System (MTS) for the U.S. Army. The systems are designed and manufactured at the DRS Tactical Systems business unit in Melbourne, Florida. Deliveries will begin this year and continue into 2010.
The U.S. Army will utilize the Joint Platform Tablet MRT as its next generation computing system for new and previously deployed MTS systems.
“Our team is very proud to have been selected to provide our MRT for use in the US Army’s Movement Tracking System program,” said Mike Sarrica, Vice President & General Manager of DRS Tactical System, Inc.“ This important order provides a proven ultra-rugged computing system to our soldiers, with leading-edge dual core computing capability that can be relied upon for this mission-critical application. Additionally, it provides hardware commonality with other Joint programs, and enables planned Army transformation to Joint Battle Command – Platform.”
The Joint Platform Tablet MRT is designed with expanded capacity to easily upgrade as increased capabilities and future requirements emerge. MRT capabilities include increased processing speed, a removable Hard Disk Drive, an emergency alert or “911” button that can signal an urgent situation back to the command and control center and a Night Vision Imaging System (NVIS) capable 10.4” display. Internal MIL-STD 1275 power filtering eliminates the need for external power adapters, thus reducing the sustainment cost of the total system. The modular docking station allows for quick dismounting of the computer along with flexible configuration of installation kits for various vehicles.
BATTLESPACE visited the DRS Technologies Melbourne Florida Plant in March of this year. Our coverage of that visit will be published in due course.
DRS Tactical Systems is a global leader in ultra rugged, commercial-off-the-shelf-based computers, displays & embedded workstations, handheld devices, tablet computers, and integrated peripheral products. The products of this DRS group have been incorporated into the U.S. Army’s Force XXI Battle Command, Brigade and Below (FBCB2) program, the U.S. Army’s Common Hardware/Software II and III program, and the United Kingdom’s BOWMAN integrated battlefield communications system program.
DRS Technologies, headquartered in Parsippany, NJ, is a leading supplier of integrated products, services and support to military forces, intelligence agencies and prime contractors worldwide. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Finmeccanica S.p.A. (FNC.MI) which employs more than 73,000 people worldwide.