21 Dec 01. DRS Technologies, Inc. (AMEX: DRS) has received a contract to design and manufacture
dual-display sonar consoles for the Sonar 2087 Project of the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy. For this new order, the company’s OPUS 2 Multi-Function Consoles will be installed on Type 23 Duke Class frigates, which soon will comprise half of the Royal Navy’s frigate and destroyer fleet.
The award, valued at approximately $3m, was received from
Thales Underwater Systems Ltd. (LSE: THS.L), a unit of the Thales Group
(PAR: TCFP.PA), in Templecombe, Somerset, U.K. The company’s DRS Rugged
Systems (Europe) Ltd. unit in Farnham, Surrey, U.K. will perform work
associated with this award. The systems are expected to be delivered to this
customer commencing midyear 2002 and continuing through 2004, with
additional contracts associated with this program expected.
“This award is one of three recently received from the Royal Navy
for our computer workstations and extends the company’s position as a
leading supplier of flat panel naval display consoles to international
military applications,” said Mark S. Newman, chairman, president and chief
executive officer of DRS Technologies. “This new contract enhances DRS’s
reputation as a recognized supplier in the design and production of
high-quality, modular, multi-function display systems for worldwide military
applications. The innovative design features of the OPUS 2 console are a
strong complement to the Sonar 2087 Project.”
OPUS2 is entirely UK designed, developed and manufactured. It has now captured a number of
significant UK and European contracts. The system was developed with extensive consideration for modularity, conformance to defense ergonomic standards and versatility. Designed to
support ease of technology insertion, the functionality of this console is expected to further evolve
as new technology becomes available, delivering significant cost savings for
customers well into the future.
The design of the OPUS 2 Multi-Function Console product line allows
for fast customization for a variety of applications required for air, sea and land systems, including sonar, C3, weapons control and platform management. Modular and easily configurable, the console can be adjusted for vertical or horizontal use and is ideal for future display sizes. Its display modules feature active matrix LCD flat panels in sizes ranging from 15 to 21 inches with display resolution up to 1600 x 1200 pixels.
Currently in the demonstration phase, Sonar 2087 is a fully
integrated, towed, active and passive antisubmarine warfare (ASW) system that is expected to greatly improve the Royal Navy’s ability to detect and classify submarines beyond the range of own-ship’s threat. Sonar 2087 replaces the obsolete Sonar 2031, and is a candidate for the ASW sensor of the Future Surface Combatant.