DRS Technologies, Inc. (DRS) announced receipt of a contract worth $98.3M to provide JV-5 ultra-rugged vehicle computing and display systems for the Force XXI Battle Command, Brigade and Below (FBCB2) and Blue Force Tracking (BFT) programs. These programs support U.S. Army and Marine Corps situational awareness requirements. The company received the contract from the Army’s Communications and Electronics Command, Life Cycle Management Command at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. DRS, based in Parsippany, New Jersey, is a supplier of integrated products, services and support to military forces, intelligence agencies and prime contractors worldwide.
The objective of the Army’s FBCB2 and BFT programs is to deliver a digital battle command and control information system that will provide commanders and soldiers at tactical units from the brigade level to the individual soldier with access to real-time information allowing for better command and control decision making and enhanced situational awareness. These computer systems provide global positioning system location, the ability to track and decipher between friendly and enemy combatants, the ability to interface with terrestrial communication radios, such as the single channel ground and airborne radio system or the enhanced position location reporting system, and the ability to access a satellite communications network.
Possessing new technologies such as multi-core processors, increased memory and great data storage and expansion capability, the JV-5 vehicle computing systems allows for future technology improvements. The company’s DRS Tactical Systems unit in Melbourne, Florida will manufacture the systems and is scheduled to begin deliver in May 2008. Completion is expected in January 2009 and will be installed on more than 40 types of U.S. Army and Marine Corps wheeled and tacked vehicles at tactical operations centers and other command post platforms.
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