DRS Technologies,
PARSIPPANY, N.J.(DefenceTalk): DRS Technologies, Inc. announced today that it received a $7 million contract from the U.S. Army's Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM) in Warren, Michigan, to test, integrate and manufacture its Knight Precision Targeting Systems. To date, DRS has received three orders from the Army totaling approximately $37 million for its Knight systems.
TACOM placed the order via Program Executive Office Ground Combat Systems and its subordinate offices of Project Manager Heavy Brigade Combat Team and Product Manager Fire Support Platforms. The work will be accomplished by the company's DRS Sustainment Systems unit in St. Louis, Missouri. The company will immediately start delivering completed vehicles and is expected to be finished in July 2009.
The systems will be integrated and tested on board the U.S. Army's M1117 Armored Security Vehicle. Once the company's sensor suite comprising the Knight system is installed on the M1117, it becomes the M1200 Armored Knight Vehicle. The M1200 is designed to accomplish multiple missions and provide protection for crew members against various ballistic threats.
The Knight system's Mission Equipment Package is produced by the company's Sustainment Systems Segment, while its Common Display Terminals will be provided by DRS' Command, Control, Communications, Computers & Intelligence (C4I) Segment, and the Fire Support Sensor System/Long-Range Advanced Scout Surveillance System components will be provided by DRS's Reconnaissance, Surveillance & Target Acquisition (RSTA) Segment.
“This contract maintains DRS's leadership as a systems integrator and provider for U.S. Army fire support platforms,” said Thomas G. Cornwell, president of DRS's Sustainment Systems Segment. “We continue to be involved in all fire support platforms fielded by the U.S. Army.”
The Knight system consists of a laser designator and rangefinder, thermal imager, digital command and control system, a blended inertial/global positioning system (GPS) navigation and targeting capability, and a self-defense weapon. It provides far-target location and laser target designation for both artillery and air-delivered, general-purpose and precision-guided munitions, and it is most often employed by field artillery units.
DRS Technologies, headquartered in Parsippany, New Jersey, is a leading supplier of integrated products, services and support to military forces, intelligence agencies and prime contractors worldwide. The company employs approximately 10,000 people.
