BAE to build multiple ID systems

BAE Systems Inc. will provide digital identification systems for the Army, Navy, Coast Guard and two foreign governments under a Navy contract worth $28.2 million, to be shared among the purchasers.

BAE Information and Electronic Systems will produce, test and deliver Identification Friend or Foe (IFF), Common Digital Transponder hardware and associated platform integration for the Army, Navy, Coast Guard and the governments of Thailand and Japan.

The Common Digital Transponder is an identification tool used by the Navy and Army on submarines, surface ships, fixed-wing aircraft, and helicopters for IFF identification. In addition, the system also facilitates the safe operation of military aircraft in civilian airspace. Friend or foe digital transponders replace outdated technology with digital systems that improve reliability and maintainability.

This contract combines the purchases of the Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Thailand and Japan under the Foreign Military Sales Program. Work will be performed at the BAE Systems facility in Greenlawn, N.Y., and is expected to be completed in October 2010.

Under the contract, the Navy will pay $4.5 million, or 16.1 percent; Army $23.5 million, or 83.5 percent; Coast Guard $39,034; or.1 percent; Thailand $71,193; or .25 percent; and Japan $3,762; or .01 percent.

The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.

BAE Systems, of Rockville, Md., ranks No. 12 on Washington Technology's 2008 Top 100 list of the largest federal government prime contractors.