DRS to Provide NightStar Binoculars for US Special Operations

PARSIPPANY, N.J., Oct. 25 -- DRS Technologies Inc. received a $2 million contract from the US Special Operations Command at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida. DRS will provide US Special Operations Forces with Advanced NightStar binocular systems, which can intensify images as well as work during the day or at night -- eliminating the need to buy two separate binoculars, said DRS Technologies. DRS Technologies' Optronics unit in Palm Bay, Fla., will work on the binocular systems and have them ready for delivery in May of next year, the company said.
The binoculars combine a third-generation image intensifier tube with an eye-safe laser range finder and a digital compass in a handheld night viewing device. These systems provide the user with target range on the eyepiece display and an RS-232 digital interface to transmit range, azimuth and elevation data to combat computers that determine target coordinates for fire control units. DRS Technologies provides leading edge products and services to government and commercial customers.