DRS Receives $35 M From Raytheon For Phalanx Thermal Imagers

(Parsippany, NJ., June 11, 2009) -- DRS Technologies, Inc. announced today that it has received a new contract for $35.2 million for production of Phalanx Thermal Imagers (PTIs) and spares to be delivered from late August of this year through June 2011. The contract was awarded by Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson, Arizona, prime contractor to the U.S. Navy for the Phalanx Close-in Weapon System (CIWS) program.

DRS PTIs are key components of the Phalanx CIWS fast-reaction, rapid-fire gun system. Currently deployed on every class of U.S. Navy surface combat ship for detection, tracking and engagement of incoming anti-ship missiles, aircraft and littoral warfare threats, the CIWS functions as a last line of defense against threats that have penetrated other fleet-defense systems. The imagers are also used in the Navy's SeaRAM Anti-ship Missile Defense System and, for high-value site defense, in the Centurion Land-based Phalanx Weapon System.

The PTIs are manufactured, assembled and tested at the Palm Bay, Florida, operation of DRS's Reconnaissance, Surveillance & Target Acquisition (RSTA) business group. Designed to withstand harsh marine environments and temperature extremes, the PTIs utilize advanced, long-life Standard Advanced Dewar Assembly (SADA) II units, produced by DRS-RSTA's Dallas, Texas, operation--the same Horizontal Technology Integration Second-Generation FLIR (HTI SGF) technology that DRS provides for the U.S. Army's M1A2/M1A1 Abrams Tank and the M2A3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle.

"This new contract confirms our status as a key provider of advanced electro-optical infrared systems for U.S. Navy ship-protection," said RSTA director of programs John H. Weiler. "We've already delivered many Phalanx Thermal Imagers, and many of those ahead of schedule, under the terms of two previous contracts, and we look forward to continuing this high level of service in the months and years ahead."

Since the program was launched just a few years ago, Raytheon has recognized RSTA's PTI-production performance twice - initially in 2007 with its first Phalanx Supplier Excellence Award, and again in 2008 with a Phalanx Program Management Award.

"Our Phalanx team clearly understands the Navy's urgent need for this life-saving technology," said RSTA president Terry Murphy. "Its members have responded from the start with the focus, dedication and long hours needed to achieve the best possible solution for our warfighters."

Source : DRS Technologies Inc., A Finmeccanica Company (Milan: FNC.MI) - click here for more information