DRS Technologies Inc. of Parsippany, N.J., has received contracts valued at $38 million to develop infrared sensors for next-generation imaging systems on geostationary operational environmental satellites to be operated and funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, under the direction of NASA. The satellites will gather infrared and radar data to help improve weather forecasting and provide warning of severe weather. DRS will design sensors for five flight units supporting the satellites as well as focal plane array sensor modules for their advanced baseline imager. DRS received initial funding of $8.2 million from ITT Industries Inc.’s Space Systems Div. of Fort Wayne, Ind. Work for the orders will be done by the DRS Sensors & Targeting Systems unit in Cypress, Calif. Delivery of the sensors is planned from 2007 through 2009.