17 Mar 03. DRS Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: DRS – News) has received a $29m contract to provide rugged Appliqué Computer Systems and Display units, Mission Data Loaders and engineering services for the U.S. Army’s Force XXI Battle Command, Brigade and Below (FBCB2) program.
This is the fourth consecutive year that Northrop Grumman Corporation’s (NYSE: NOC – News) Mission Systems sector has awarded contracts to DRS on the FBCB2 program. Work for this order will be performed by the company’s DRS Tactical Systems unit in Palm Bay, Florida. Product deliveries are expected to commence in April.
“This award is a milestone for the company and recognizes our position as a market leader in ruggedized computer systems for the U.S. Army’s dominance of the battle space of the 21st century,” said Paul G. Casner, executive vice president and chief operating officer of DRS Technologies. “We are confident that our strong record of experience, innovative design and proven performance, combined with our reputation for product quality, reliability and timely delivery, will remain key factors in our continuing participation on this important program. Our role in supporting FBCB2 is the direct result of DRS’s commitment to provide best value systems and services, which have afforded us opportunities to participate in next-generation, high-visibility, battlefield command information system programs.”
To date, approximately $108.4m in contract awards associated with this program has been received by the company.
Comment: The acquisition of Paravant by DRS is quickly demonstrating itself as a smart move by DRS. DRS Inc. is using the Paravant technology and expertise to build a world-beating centre of excellence for rugged computer systems. This award vindicates the selection of the Paravant technology for the majority of the FBCB2 requirement over that offered by Litton (now L-3). Paravant Technologies has also been selected for the UK Bowman programme and is quickly establishing a presence in the UK for this contract and other UK and European requirements.