DRS Technologies, a Finmeccanica Company, announced that the US Army has awarded the company’s Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition (RSTA) Group a $24.5 million contract to provide engineering services and support activities for the improved bradley acquisition subsystem (IBAS).

The new federal contract was awarded by the Close Combat Weapon Systems Project Office of the Aviation and Missile Command at the Army’s Redstone Arsenal. Under the contract, RSTA will provide level-of-effort (hours-based) support for programme management, engineering, logistics, field service, repairs, product assurance, procurement and subcontract activity to support IBAS sustainment requirements.

“This latest contract awarded to DRS Technologies reflects the Army’s longstanding confidence in our joint efforts to continuously improve the IBAS subsystem, enhance its reliability and ensure a growing level of effectiveness,” said RSTA President Terry Murphy. “As the prime contractor for IBAS, DRS is exceptionally well-positioned to manage the full range of IBASrelated support activities with cost-effective solutions.”

IBAS is an upgraded target-acquisition and missile-control subsystem for the M2A3 Bradley fighting vehicle. Its technology includes a second-generation forward looking infrared camera, a daylight television camera, direct view optics, aided dual-target tracking, an eye-safe laser rangefinder and a two-axis stabilised head mirror. The improved subsystem offers greater reliability while reducing maintenance time and logistics costs when compared with previous systems.

The engineering services contract extends over five years, and began in September 2011. RSTA, based in Melbourne, Florida; and Dallas, Texas, earned the contract based on experience and cost competitiveness.