DRS Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: DRS) was awarded a $124 million contract to provide Horizontal Technology Integration Second Generation Forward Looking Infrared (HTI SGF) sighting systems to the U.S. Army. These systems are used on the M1A2 Abrams Main Battle Tank System Enhancement Package (SEP) and M2A3 Bradley Fighting Vehicles.
The contract was awarded to DRS by the Network Centric Systems business of Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) in McKinney, Texas. For this award, DRS will provide the Abrams Thermal Receiver Units (TRU) with the Block 1 B-Kit, as well as Block 1 B-Kits for Improved Bradley Acquisition Systems (IBAS) and Circuit Card Assembly (CCA) sets for the Abrams Commander’s Independent Thermal Viewer (CITV) and Long Range Advanced Scout Surveillance System (LRAS3) supporting the Army’s HTI initiatives.
HTI SGF utilizes second generation FLIR allowing ground vehicles to detect, identify and engage tactical targets during the day or night. Compared to first generation FLIRs, HTI SGF Block 1 B-Kit doubles the distance at which soldiers can identify a target, greatly increasing crew survivability and reducing fratricide. The HTI SGF is comprised of a common electronics unit and opto-mechanical assemblies known as the B-Kit. The B-Kit is incorporated in the Improved Bradley Acquisition System (IBAS) sight of the M2A3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle System. The M1A2 Abrams SEP utilizes the same B-Kit within a thermal receiving unit and a biocular image control unit for the upgraded Thermal Imaging System (TIS), which is mounted in the gunner’s sight. DRS-produced HTI components also are used for the Commander’s Independent Thermal Viewer on the M1A2, the Commander’s Independent Viewer on the Bradley A3 and the LRAS3.
