DRS to Produce F-16 Digital Imaging Systems

PARSIPPANY, N.J., June 3 -- DRS Technologies Inc. (DRS) has been awarded two new contracts to produce high-speed digital imaging systems for first-time use on new international F-16 combat aircraft and to develop a new high-resolution infrared (IR) imaging system for ground-based use, designed to be the fastest IR camera in existence.

The awards have a combined value of approximately $4 million.

The first contract, valued at $2.4 million, was awarded to DRS by Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., a unit of Lockheed Martin Corp. DRS will produce airborne separation video systems (ASVS), consisting of long-term test capability (LTTC) cameras, cockpit control units, multicamera system controllers and ground-support units for new F-16 aircraft of allied international forces. Product deliveries are expected from February 2003 through March 2004. ASVS is the only high-speed digital imaging system designed to replace film cameras to capture airborne weapons separation events. The ASVS product line also is deployed on the US Navy's F/A-18C/D and E/F Super Hornet aircraft and in certain international aircraft during test flights.

The second contract, for $1.6 million, was awarded to DRS by the Naval Air Warfare Center's Aircraft Div. at the Naval Air Station, Patuxent River, Md. DRS will produce LTTC cameras and provide engineering development for a ground-based high-speed IR imaging system. The LTTC cameras are the latest camera variants in the ASVS product line and will fly on US Navy F/A-18, Air Force F-16 and F-15 Eagle and other high-performance aircraft. The IR imaging system is being developed primarily to support the image capture of munitions at ground-based firing ranges. This camera will be the fastest high-resolution IR imaging system in existence and will be operable at night and under conditions of low visibility, DRS said. Product deliveries are expected to begin in November and continue through March 2004.

Work for both contracts will be performed at the company's operation in Oakland, N.J., and at its DRS Infrared Technologies unit in Dallas, Texas.