News From Washington
ARINC Earns Repeat Award for Small Business Assistance
For a second consecutive year, ARINC Inc. has earned the rating of "outstanding" for its efforts in support of small businesses. In 2000, and again in 2001, the US Small Business Administration has awarded ARINC its highest rating for company-wide small business efforts.
Within the Department of Defense, ARINC has been notified of a special award from the Commander, US Army Communications and Electronics Command (CECOM). This award is for outstanding efforts in subcontracting to small businesses, and for initiative and imagination in designing and implementing a unique intranet Web site to register small businesses with ARINC and to make the data available to every ARINC employee nationwide.
The deputy for small business of the Defense Logistics Agency - Baltimore recognized ARINC efforts in awarding 51 percent of all DoD subcontracting dollars to small businesses in 2001, up from a record 36 percent in 2000.
ARINC also awarded 14.3 percent of all DoD subcontracted dollars to small disadvantaged businesses and 3 percent to woman-owned small businesses. Company-wide for that same period, ARINC awarded 39 percent of all subcontracted dollars to small businesses, 9.2 percent to small disadvantaged businesses and 3 percent to woman-owned small businesses.
ARINC Inc. develops and operates communications and information processing systems for the aviation and transportation industries and provides systems engineering and integration solutions to government, defense and industry. ARINC is headquartered in Annapolis, MD, with over 3000 employees worldwide. ARINC is ISO 9001 certified. For further information, visit www.arinc.com.
DRS Technologies Receives $28 M Contract from US Army
DRS Technologies Inc. announced that it has received a $28 M multi-year contract from the US Army, valued at $155 M including options. For this award, the company will provide Horizontal Technology Integration Second Generation Forward Looking Infrared (HTI SGF) sighting systems. These systems provide critical common night vision technology to the US Army's Abrams Main Battle Tank M1A2 SEP (system enhancement package), Bradley Fighting Vehicle System M2A3 and Long-range Advanced Scout Surveillance System (LRAS3).
For this contract, the company will provide B-Kit sensors, spares and testing for the HTI SGF program. The contract was awarded by the US Army Communications-Electronics Command (CECOM) in Fort Monmouth, NJ. Work associated with this award will be accomplished by the company's DRS Optronic unit in Palm Bay, FL, with product deliveries expected to conclude in December 2005.
The HTI SGF system enhances the engagement and surveillance ranges for the identification of threats, increases target acquisitions and significantly reduces fratricide. Providing the most advanced, high resolution sighting technology available today for the success of ground combat operations, HTI SGF allows ground vehicles to detect, identify and engage tactical targets during the day or night. The system contributes to information dominance by providing digital battlefield imagery to commanders who are empowered to promote interoperability among military platforms.
HTI SGF is comprised of a common electronics unit and opto-mechanical assemblies known as the B-Kit. The B-Kit is incorporated in the Bradley M2A3 Improved Acquisition System (IBAS) sight for the Bradley Fighting Vehicle System M2A3. The Abrams M1A2 SEP utilizes the same B-Kit within a thermal receiving unit and a bi-ocular image control unit for the upgraded Thermal Imaging System (TIS), which is mounted in the gunner sight. DRS-produced HTI components are also used in LRAS3 for scout vehicles. For more information about DRS Technologies, visit www.drs.com.
FAA Awards Harris Corp. $26 M for Weather and Radar Processor
Harris Corp., a world leader in weather data processing and display systems for aviation and military applications, announced that it was awarded a $26 M addition to its Weather and Radar Processor (WARP) contract by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). WARP is a next generation weather and radar processor designed to provide meteorologists at FAA en-route centers with software tools that consolidate weather data from several sources into a single, integrated display to support air traffic operations.
This WARP contract addition provides hardware and software maintenance and continuing support of the program through September 2004. The current award is a follow-on to the original $72.5 M design and development contract that was awarded to Harris in July 1996. Further awards and options could increase the contract value for Harris to more than $125 M by 2004.
Under terms of the original contract, Harris was tasked with developing, procuring, installing and supporting 24 WARP systems at FAA Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCC) and the Air Traffic Control System Command Center (ATCSCC). Harris also provided a leased service that replaced the Meteorologist Weather Processor (MWP) system used at those facilities. For more information, contact Sleighton Meyer at smeyer@harris.com.
ITT Industries and Raytheon Announce Agreement to Develop Night Vision Sensors
ITT Industries Night Vision of Roanoke, VA, and Raytheon Co., Dallas, TX, have announced a strategic teaming agreement by which the two leaders in image intensification and thermal imaging technologies will develop and produce night vision sensor fusion technology.
Image intensification and thermal imaging technologies each offer distinct advantages to the military user. Image intensification amplifies non-visible particles of light (in the night sky) to a level of brightness that the human eye can detect. Image intensifiers provide clear, life-like images at an affordable price. A thermal imager detects the temperature differences and warmer items appear brighter on a display. Thermal imaging systems enable users to see through smoke, dust and total darkness to detect objects such as people or equipment that radiate heat. Fusion combines the respective strengths of thermal and image intensification technologies while mitigating their limitations.
"Our customer's dream of sensor fusion is now becoming a reality," said Neil A. Gallagher, president and general manager for ITT Industries Night Vision. "The US military has long wanted to merge these two critical technologies to maximize the benefits of both. As the leading supplier of high performance image intensifier technology, ITT is pleased to be associated with Raytheon, the leading supplier of thermal imaging equipment. Together we will advance the night operational effectiveness of US fighting forces." "We are committed to providing our customers with the most advanced, best value, night vision solutions," states Colin Schottlaender, VP and general manager, Raytheon Tactical Systems. "The fusion of thermal and image intensification technologies is the next significant advancement for soldier's 'own the night' overmatch."
The teaming agreement consists of two cooperative efforts, one for digital fusion, in which Raytheon is head contractor, and one for optical fusion, in which ITT is the lead. Digital fusion will address potential applications for all-electronic image processing. Optical fusion efforts will address requirements for lightweight, low power, low cost applications. Initial efforts by the two companies have resulted in a Digital Fusion Marketing Demonstrator (DFMD), which both demonstrates the operational benefits and validates the efficacy of digital fusion. More information can be obtained on the Web site: http://www.itt.com/ or contact Millie Rogers at millie.rogers@itt.com.