DRS Wins Access to $384 M US Navy Technology Insertion Hardware Contract

DRS Technologies Inc., a Finmeccanica Company, announced that it has won a U.S. Navy contract for the development, production and integration of electronic equipment for various classes of submarines. The indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract has a potential value of more than $384 million.

The equipment for the technology insertion hardware program, or TIH, represents the latest generation of display, processor and network requirements for combat control and sonar systems. The equipment will modernize and upgrade systems currently installed on SSN 688i, SSBN, SSGN, Seawolf, Virginia class and Royal Australian Navy Collins Class submarines. The contract also provides for the installation of initial systems for new Virginia class submarines.

TIH includes computer processing and memory hardware; data storage and extraction hardware; input/output interfaces for processing systems designed around commercially available hardware and software; upgrade kits; electronic enclosures and other submarine electronics equipment. TIH components consist of commercial off-the-shelf workstations, processors, file servers and other networking equipment.

“DRS has a long history of providing the Navy with both commercial off-the-shelf and custom combat systems. We look forward to bringing that experience to bear on the TIH program,” said Roger Sexauer, president of the DRS Maritime Combat Support Systems business group. “This is another example that from stem-to-stern, DRS Technologies provides a wide range of technologies and solutions to enhance combat readiness and augment shipboard operations and functionality,” he said.

The win moves the company into a prime-contractor role with the Navy and also expands DRS’s role as a major submarine combat systems supplier.

The work will be performed by DRS’s Maritime Systems and Services - Laurel Technologies business at its Johnstown, Pa., Burnsville, Mn., and Manassas, Va facilities.