DRS wins $396m battlefield computer deal

DRS Technologies Inc. won a contract worth $396 million to deliver rugged computer systems and peripheral equipment for an Army program designed to give forces better battlefield intelligence.

The company said today it will begin work on a $79.9 million task order under the indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract for the Army's Force XXI Battle Command, Brigade and Below program.

The Army's Communication-Electronics Life Cycle Management Command in Fort Monmouth, N.J., awarded the contract.

For this order, the company's DRS Tactical Systems unit in Melbourne, Fla., will furnish rugged Appliqué Computer Systems, including processor, display and keyboard units as well as rugged solid-state hard disk drives and mission data loaders.

Installed on more than 40 vehicle types, including wheeled and tracked vehicles, as well as Tactical Operations Centers and other command post platforms, DRS's Appliqué Computer Systems support the Army's Blue Force Tracking requirements.

Blue Force Tracking requirements include line-of-sight reporting and tracking as well as integration of vertical and horizontal information to furnish forces engaged with a precise visual picture of the battlefield.

The Force XXI Battle Command, Brigade-and-Below program is focused on developing a digital battle command information system designed to give commanders, leaders and soldiers improved information for command and control and better awareness of tactical battlefield situations.

DRS Technologies is headquartered in Parsippany, N.J. and has about 10,000 employees. The company ranks No. 28 on Washington Technology's 2006 Top 100 list of the largest federal IT prime contractors.