DRS Technologies Inc. of Parsippany, N.J., received $153 million in follow-on orders to support the infrared sighting systems of the US Army's OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopters. The company will provide spares, depot repair and field service support, and it will manufacture new thermal imaging systems for the mast-mounted sight on the aircraft. The upgrade, which improves target detection and range performance, is designed as a drop-in replacement for existing systems.

The US Army Aviation and Missile Command, based in Huntsville, Ala., awarded the contracts, which are part of a five-year, $514 million indefinite delivery/quantity contract secured by DRS in December 2003. It is anticipated that the orders will be fulfilled by mid-2006.