DRS Technologies Granted Contractfor Naval Infrared Missile Defense System

PARSIPPANY, N.J., May 4 -- DRS Technologies Inc. has been given a $6.4-million (US) contract by Hollandse Signaalapparaten B.V. in Hengelo, the Netherlands, to proceed with the development of the signal processing unit and optical lens assembly for the SIRIUS long-range infrared search and track system.
Work on the contract will be done by the DRS flight safety and communications unit based in Carleton Place, Ontario, Canada. DRS will provide a production prototype of the signal processing unit and lens assembly. The company indicated that it anticipates receiving additional contracts for Dutch and Canadian naval vessels; in addition, DRS said the German and Australian navies have expressed interest in the SIRIUS system.
A joint venture by Canada and the Netherlands, the SIRIUS system is an automatic infrared detection and target tracking system for anti-ship missiles and aircraft. The system is designed to work with the ships' local area defense system by assisting the extant radar surveillance systems under conditions unfavorable for radar alone.