DRS Technologies Receives U.S. Army Contract to Develop Leading Edge Infrared Detectors for Aircraft Upgrades.

Business Editors

PARSIPPANY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 6, 2000

Award to Qualify DRS as the Only Domestic Source for Second

Generation Infrared Technology for Aviation Modernization Programs

DRS Technologies, Inc. (ASE: DRS) announced today that it has received a contract from the U.S. Army to develop leading edge infrared focal plane arrays (FPAs) for the new RAH-66A Comanche Armed Reconnaissance and AH-64D Apache Longbow Multi-Mission Combat helicopters.

DRS's Standard Advanced Dewar Assemblies Type I (SADA I) technology developed for this award will be critical to the Second Generation Forward Looking Infrared (Gen II FLIR) sensors of these aircraft. Successful performance under this contract will qualify DRS as the only domestic supplier of advanced SADA I focal plane array technology for Army aviation modernization programs.

The $3.9 million contract was awarded to DRS by the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command (CECOM) in Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. Work for this contract will be accomplished by the company's DRS Infrared Technologies unit in Dallas, Texas. For this award, the company will provide demonstration infrared focal plane arrays and analytical data in an effort to qualify as the only U.S. domestic source of SADA I detectors. DRS will design, produce and integrate a large, 480 x 4 SADA I detector array and demonstrate that the integrated sensor meets strict airborne system requirements. The contract has a duration of 30 months.

"SADA I detectors incorporate the highest performing Second Generation infrared technology available today," said Mark S. Newman, chairman, president and chief executive officer of DRS Tehcnologies. "This award positions the company as a primary supplier for the Army's ongoing aviation modernization efforts and recognizes DRS as an industry leader in advanced focal plane array technology for the defense electronics marketplace."

The leading edge technology incorporated in SADA I will contribute to the strategic responsiveness, forward engagement and force projection capabilities of U.S. Army aircraft. This technology is key to missions involving deterrence, protection, maneuver and strike. SADA I and other Horizontal Technology Integration Second Generation Forward Looking Infrared (HTISGF) programs supported by DRS remain central to the Army's modernization strategy and its goal to dominate the expanded battle space in the 21st century.

The SADA I focal plane array provides greater sensitivity and higher image resolution than earlier generation detector arrays used in ground combat systems. Its use on board the Comanche and Apache attack aircraft will enable pilots to identify targets at longer ranges under any conditions, despite dense fog, smoke, rain and other battlefield obscurants. The addition data provided by SADA I for Gen II imaging sensors will support computer-assisted target recognition on the Comanche helicopter. High-resolution battlefield scenes captured using this technology will also be transmitted to allied air and ground units via a tactical internet, enhancing the command and control effectiveness and survivability of the combined arms team.

DRS provides advanced focal plane arrays 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. Under separately awarded contracts, DRS produces SADA II, SADA III and cooler assemblies for the tracking and imaging systems on a variety of Army ground platforms and weapons systems, including the M2A3 Bradley and the M1A2 Abrams combat vehicles. They are used in the HTISGF Thermal Imaging System, also produced by the company.

The company's focal plane array technology also is slated for use in theater missile defense applications, where its multi-band sensor capabilities will provide increased discrimination between threat projectiles, decoys and background debris. DRS's three-band sensor technology, currently under development for the U.S. Navy, will represent the state-of-the-art in infrared detection and will be one of the most sophisticated detector capabilities in the world. It is anticipated that this and other DRS-developed multi-color infrared FPA technologies will be utilized for key military applications where threat warning, clutter rejection and false alarm reduction are imperative.

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.