Utilized by U.S. Army and Marine Corps combat units, Javelin is the world's premier man-portable, fire-and-forget, medium-range, anti-tank weapon system. It also is approved through the U.S. Army's Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program for international procurement.

The contract was awarded to DRS by Raytheon Missile Systems Company, a unit of Raytheon, located in Tucson, Arizona.

For this award, which is the fifth order under a multi-year contract, the company's DRS Infrared Technologies unit in Dallas, Texas, will produce Second Generation Forward Looking Infrared (SG Gen II FLIR) detectors, Dewar assemblies and coolers for the Javelin's Command Launch Unit (CLU).

Product deliveries associated with this award are expected to commence in April 2005 and continue for approximately six months.

DRS is the sole supplier of the infrared detector arrays, vacuum Dewar assemblies and quiet coolers for the Javelin's CLU. Upon completion of this contract, total orders for DRS-produced SG Gen II FLIR components and assemblies will exceed 4,000 since the program's inception. The exercise of additional options on this program is anticipated.

"Javelin is a proven, revolutionary, superior ground combat weapon system delivering the highest levels of performance, effectiveness and survivability for our ground forces," said Fred L. Marion, president of DRS's Surveillance & Reconnaissance Group.

"Our participation on this crucial program supports DRS's position as a leading supplier of critical Second Generation infrared components and assemblies for significant, multi-year, electro-optical targeting system programs."

The Javelin missile system replaces the aging, wire-guided Dragon missile in ranger and special operations units, infantry and engineer battalions, and armored Scout platoons.

Supporting the Army's transformation efforts, including current and future forces, Javelin enables a single soldier to defeat any armored vehicle. It has more than twice the range of earlier man-portable anti-tank weapons and uses DRS's critical SG Gen II FLIR technology to target threats during the day or night.

DRS's detection and Dewar assembly contains the highly sensitive infrared focal plane array detector. The company's patented, quieter, dual-opposed piston coolers eliminate the noise of earlier sights, thereby helping to conceal the user.

DRS provides advanced focal plane arrays, Dewar assemblies and coolers for several significant U.S. military programs and is a market leader in long-range, advanced infrared sighting and weapons systems technology for day and night target detection under harsh environmental conditions.

The company's SG Gen II FLIR technology is key to missions involving deterrence, protection, maneuver and strike. Horizontal Technology Integration-related programs supported by DRS remain central to the Army and Marine Corps' modernization strategy and their goal to dominate the expanded battle space in the 21st century.

DRS Technologies