$76M to DRS for over 7,500 Weapon Thermal Sights

DRS TWS: Light, Hvy., Med. DRS Technologies, Inc. announced that it has received approximately $76 million in new orders to produce next-generation advanced uncooled Thermal Weapon Sights II (TWS II) for U.S. Army soldiers. DRS makes thermal imaging night vision sights that currently support the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Air Force and Special Operations forces, and the order was issued on behalf of US Army Program Executive Office Soldier by the Army’s Communications-Electronics Command (CECOM) acquisition center in Fort Monmouth, NJ. It is is part of a competitively secured 5-year contract awarded to DRS in March 2004, with a total potential value of $375 million if all options are exercised. The specific quantities, capabilities, and compatible weapons for the thermal sights ordered are described below. We’ve also included links that explain how thermal sights work, and offer industry forecasts for the larger electro-optical market. * 1,600 Light Thermal Weapon Sights (LTWS) for 5.56mm M-16/M4 assault rifles and M136/AT-4 anti-tank rockets. These sights include features like a 15 degree horizontal field-of-view lens designed for urban warfare and other and wide-view, close-in focus situations; * 3,900 Medium Thermal Weapon Sights (MTWS) that mount to M249 “Minimi” 5.56mm Squad Automatic Weapons and M240B […]