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.
The European Commission has granted clearance under EU Merger Regulation for the efforts of France’s Thales S.A. Germany’s Diehl Stiftung & Co. KG to make a joint control acquisition involving French firm TDA Armements SAS. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.
The firms are setting up a joint venture for the production and sale of fuzes for ammunition, and safety and arming Devices (SAD) for missiles. In addition to relevant parts of TDA Armaments SAS, Thales’ Thales Munitronic BV (The Netherlands) and Forges de Zeebrugge (Belgium), and Diehl’s Junghans Feinwerktechnik GmbH & Co KG (Germany), will be added to the joint venture. See EC English release.
