DRS Technologies Awarded Contract to Develop Aircraft Tracking and Landing Systems for U.S. Navy Carriers.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

PARSIPPANY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 15, 2003

Advanced Electro-Optical Systems Technology Reduces Risk of Aircraft

Landings During Nighttime and Adverse Weather

DRS Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: DRS) announced today that it has received additional funding to provide engineering development models (EDMs) for the Virtual Imaging System for Approach and Landing (VISUAL) supporting U.S. Navy aircraft carriers and other platforms. Employing advanced Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) technology, an automated aircraft tracking system and a new landing signal officer workstation, the implementation of this system is expected to significantly reduce the risk associated with aircraft landings on board carriers, especially at night.

The $2.8 million contract was awarded to DRS by the U.S. Navy's Naval Air Systems Command Naval Air Warfare Center - Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) in Lakehurst, New Jersey. Contract options under this and other related VISUAL programs are valued up to $46 million, if exercised. For the award, the company will design, fabricate, test and deliver the VISUAL, as well as provide support for system integration, test, installation and check out. Work for this award will be accomplished by the company's DRS Sensors & Targeting unit in Anaheim, California and is expected to be completed by mid-2003. Additional contracts associated with the production of these systems for installation on all U.S. Navy carriers, including CV/CVN aircraft carriers, are expected, as well as contracts for LHA (Landing Ship Helicopter Assault/Attack) and LHD (Landing Ship Helicopter Dock) amphibious assault ship installations.

"A unique system for significantly reducing landing risks on board carriers, the technology employed for VISUAL is critical for night operations, during maneuvers in severe weather and at times when radar and radio communications are restricted," said Fred L. Marion, president of DRS's Electro-Optical Systems Group. "This program provides the company with the opportunity to demonstrate the kind of innovation in product development that is the hallmark of DRS Technologies."

The landing of aircraft on carriers is one of the most stressful and difficult maneuvers for naval aviators to perform. VISUAL is expected to dramatically reduce the risk of injury to personnel and damage to platforms by generating precise infrared imagery, which will be used to guide and align the aircraft for safer landings. VISUAL will improve the ability of a variety of aircraft to land by providing continuously updated high-resolution video images of incoming aircraft, enabling confirmation of aircraft type, configuration and flight path. VISUAL also will provide ship data to the Landing Signal Officer for precise signaling and faster adjustments to carrier equipment engaged in aircraft recovery.

VISUAL incorporates both visible and infrared imagery and complex tracking algorithms to determine range, aircraft attitude, type and configuration, damage assessment and landing dynamics of fixed-wing aircraft during ship approach. Its eye-safe laser range finder is used to determine aircraft range.

DRS Technologies provides leading edge products and services to government and commercial customers worldwide. Focused on defense electronics, the company develops and manufactures a broad range of mission critical systems and components in the areas of communications, combat systems, battlefield digitization, electro-optics, power systems, data storage, digital imaging, flight safety and space.

For more information about DRS Technologies, please visit the company's web site at www.drs.com.