5 Aug 02. Paravant Inc. (Nasdaq: PVAT – News) announced that its Paravant Computer Systems (PCS) division has been awarded a $6,760,000 contract from General Dynamics UK Limited to supply the BOWMAN Management Data Terminal (BMDT), with options to procure several thousand additional computer terminals. (See BATTLESPACE FARNBOROUGH NEWSDAY 1 JULY 22ND)
Delivery of Paravant’s Scorpion Rugged Notebook Computers to meet the BMDT requirements is scheduled to begin in September 2002.
In commenting on the award, Mr. Rick McNeight, President of Paravant’s PCS subsidiary, said, “The BOWMAN program represents the future of C4I for the UK. Paravant is privileged to have our internally developed Scorpion Computer selected for this first stage of Digitization for the British Armed Forces. We anticipate our performance on BOWMAN will establish Paravant as the preferred supplier of Rugged Computing Platforms for UK Digitization.”
Bill Craven, President and CEO of Paravant stated, “BOWMAN is a major
International program that is a significant win for Paravant, as we continue to
successfully implement our strategic plan to become the premiere rugged
computing company for C4I systems worldwide. We are extremely pleased that General Dynamics UK has placed their confidence in Paravant to provide the BMDT which are critical to the success of the BOWMAN program.”
Comment: This is good news for Paravant and confirms the company’s expertise in the production of rugged computers established in its involvement in supplying TRW with 85% of the requirement for FBCB2. This announcement cam as a surprise to some observers who suggested that Northrop Grumman were contracted to supply all rugged computers from the Marconi plant in Hillend, Fife. However LarRy Johnson, managing Director of General Dynamics (UK) Ltd told the press at Farnborough that the company were procuring some items direct form other suppliers.
This is Paravant’s first major contract in the UK and should establish the company for further orders for BOWMAN and related programmes.