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October 16, 2012
DRS Technologies Awarded $22.9 Million Contract to Provide Next Generation Light Weapon Thermal Sights to U.S. Army
ARLINGTON, VA, October 16, 2012 – DRS Technologies, Inc., a Finmeccanica Company, announced
that its Imaging and Targeting Solutions Group (ITS) has been awarded a $22.9 million contract by the
U.S. Army to provide next generation 17-micron Light Weapon Thermal Sights (LWTS) through the
Department of the Army Program Executive Office Soldier (PEO Soldier), Project Manager Soldier
Sensors and Lasers (PM SSL), and Product Manager Soldier Maneuver Sensors (PM SMS). Under the
new contract, ITS will deliver its 17-micron Light Weapon Thermal Sights, which detect infrared (heat)
waves and allow soldiers to view their targets day or night through rain, smoke, haze, light fog and total
darkness. Employing DRS uncooled Vanadium Oxide detector technology, the LWTS uses an advanced
17-micron pitch focal plane array to produce a large image with a resolution of 640 x 480 pixels in a small
package.
Used on weapons such as the M4 and M16, DRS LWTS is designed for use with the Advanced Combat
Optical Gunsight (ACOG) and the Close Combat Optic (CCO) sight. Troops can easily clip the LWTS onto
a weapon in front of the standard day optic or use it in stand-alone mode.
With its four AA lithium batteries, the 17-micron LWTS weighs just 1.75 pounds and measures 6.7 x 3.6 x
3.9 inches. Soldiers can use the sight for up to 10 hours before changing out the power source. In
addition, the new sight offers a 14.7⁰ horizontal field of view and incorporates a 2X digital zoom. The 17-
micron LWTS operates on the RS-170 standard with real-time video in/out connectivity that allows for
remote viewing. It enables the soldier to recognize targets at distances that exceed Army requirements of
under “clear-air” conditions.
“DRS Imaging and Targeting Solutions is committed to serve the needs of the US Army Program
Executive Office Soldier and the US Army Contracting Command – Aberdeen Proving Ground,” says ITS
President Todd Stirtzinger
“For the 21st century warfighter, the arena of operations demands exceptional capabilities for early
detection of targets and lightweight configurations to increase mobility. The next generation 17-micron
Light Weapon Thermal Sight is designed to meet these requirements with industry-leading technology.
With this most recent contract award, the U.S. Army again has recognized the value of DRS ITS’ thermal
imaging capabilities and advanced 17 micron technology.”
DRS Imaging and Targeting Solutions will deliver the Sights to the Army over a 22-month period,
beginning in January, 2013. Deliveries will include the 17-micron LWTS and associated supplies,
services, spares and special tooling.
DRS Technologies, Inc., headquartered in Arlington, Va., is a leading supplier of integrated products,
services and support to military forces, intelligence agencies and prime contractors worldwide. The
company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Finmeccanica S.p.A. (FNC.MI) which employs approximately
70,000 people worldwide. For more information about DRS Technologies, please visit the company’s
website at www.drs.com.
For additional information please contact:
Joseph Militano
Senior Vice President
Public Affairs and Communications
(703) 236-4659
jmilitano@drs.com
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