DRS Technologies Receives New Order From U.S. Army for Second Generation Infrared Sighting Systems.

Business & Technology Editors

PARSIPPANY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 22, 2001

Systems Support Horizontal Technology

Integration Across Several Army Platforms

DRS Technologies, Inc. (AMEX:DRS) announced today that it has received a new order from the U.S. Army to provide spare Horizontal Technology Integration Second Generation Forward Looking Infrared (HTI SGF) sighting systems.

These systems apply critical common night vision technology across several land platforms, including the Abrams M1A2 Main Battle Tank System Enhancement Package (SEP), the Bradley M2A3 Infantry Fighting Vehicles and the M1025 and M1114 High-Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWV).

The $7.1 million order was awarded by the U.S. Army's Communications-Electronics Command (CECOM) in Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. Work associated with these upgraded systems will be accomplished by the company's DRS Sensor Systems unit in Torrance, California, and DRS Optronics unit in Palm Bay, Florida. Product deliveries are scheduled to commence in August of this year and conclude in September 2002.

Mark S. Newman, DRS Technologies' chairman, president and chief executive officer, commented, "The HTI initiative is central to the Army's modernization strategy for the digitization of the 21st century battlefield and contributes significantly to the power projection capabilities of ground forces. The systems produced under this contract broaden the application of Second Generation Forward Looking Infrared technology across several Army ground platforms and position the company as a leading U.S. defense technology supplier of advanced military ground vehicle sighting and weapons systems. HTI continues to be a key program in DRS's core electro-optical systems business base and enhances the company's ability to attain our long-term strategic objectives for growth."

HTI SGF is comprised of a common electronics unit and opto-mechanical assemblies called the B-Kit. The B-Kit is incorporated in the Bradley M2A3 Improved Acquisition System (IBAS) sight. The Abrams M1A2 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 in the HMMWV Long-Range Advanced Scout Surveillance System (LRAS3) for scout vehicles. DRS's HTI SGF system allows ground vehicles to detect, identify and engage tactical targets during the day or night. It provides the most advanced, high-resolution sighting technology available for the success of ground combat operations, contributes to information dominance by providing digital battlefield imagery to commanders, and promotes interoperability among military platforms. HTI SGF also enhances the surveillance ranges for the identification of threats, increases target acquisitions and significantly reduces fratricide. The system utilizes a 1553 data bus and is a digital port for trackers and display units.

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 products, from rugged computers and peripherals to systems and components in the areas of communications, combat systems, data storage, digital imaging, electro-optics, flight safety and space.

Additional information is available on the company's web site at www.drs.com.