DRS Technologies Receives Award to Develop Aircraft Tracking and Landing Systems for U.S. Navy Carriers.Business Editors PARSIPPANY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 6, 2002 Advanced Electro-Optical Systems Technology Reduces Risk of Aircraft Landings During Nighttime and Adverse Weather DRS Technologies DRS Technologies, Inc. (commonly known as DRS; formerly known as Diagnostic/Retrieval Systems, Inc.) is a supplier of defense electronic products and systems to the United States Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, aerospace and defense prime , Inc. (AMEX AMEX See: American Stock Exchange :DRS DRS Drives (street suffix) DRS Dispute Resolution Service DRS Doctorandus DRS Department of Rehabilitative Services DRS Direct Registration System (securities) DRS Department of Rehabilitation Services ) 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. Employing advanced Forward Looking Infrared
A forward looking infrared (FLIR) is the North American English term for a camera that takes pictures using the infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. (FLIR FLIR Forward-Looking Infrared (Radar) FLIR Forward Looking Infrared Radiometer FLIR Forward Looking Infrared Radar FLIR Forward Looking Infra Red ) technology, the implementation of this system is expected to significantly reduce the risk associated with aircraft landings on board carriers, especially at night. For the $4.2 million order received by DRS from the U.S. Navy's Naval Air Warfare Center-- Aircraft Division (NAWCAD NAWCAD Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division ) in Lakehurst, New Jersey Lakehurst is a Borough in Ocean County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the borough population was 2,522. Lakehurst was incorporated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 7, 1921, from portions of Manchester Township, , the company will continue to build and test EDMs of Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR EO/IR Electro-Optical/Infra-Red ) Tracking Systems. Work for this award will be accomplished by the company's DRS Sensors & Targeting Systems unit in Anaheim, California and is expected to be completed by 2004. Additional contracts for production of these systems for installation on all U.S. Navy carriers are anticipated. "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 Mark S. Newman, chairman, president and chief executive officer of DRS Technologies. "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 Well-known aviators People largely known for their contributions to the history of aviation While all of these people were pilots (and some still are), many are also noted for contributions in areas such as aircraft design and manufacturing, navigation or to perform. VISUAL is expected to help 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 needed high-resolution video images of incoming aircraft, enabling confirmation of aircraft type and configuration. 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. VISUAL also may be used for deployment on LHA/LHD amphibious assault platforms. 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, rugged computers, electro-optics, 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. |
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