Leonardo DRS lands $120M Navy contract

Arlington defense contractor to design aircraft protection system

Published July 20, 2020 by Sydney Lake

Arlington-based defense contractor Leonardo DRS Inc. announced Monday it has won a $120 million U.S. Navy contract to provide engineering design and test software for aircraft protection systems. 

The contract was awarded through the U.S. Naval Air Systems Command, and the project will be completed on the AN/AAQ-45 Distributed Aperture Infrared Countermeasure (DAIRCM). The DAIRCM was developed by Leonardo DRS through its three business units: Airborne & Intelligence Systems, Daylight Solutions and Electro-Optical & Infrared Systems.

“Leonardo DRS is proud to provide these state-of-the-art systems to enhance aircraft protection throughout the fleet,” John Baylouny, Leonardo DRS executive vice president and chief operating officer, said in a statement. “This continued strong partnership with our customer has produced technologies that will offer advanced capabilities, including combat survivability for flight crews while supporting their ability to accomplish diverse mission sets for years to come.” 

The contract announced Monday builds on a previous contract awarded to the company, the Joint Urgent Operational Needs program, which allowed for the system to be fielded on U.S. Air Force, Army and Navy platforms. Under the new contract, Leonardo DRS will continue to develop, integrate and test new capabilities. 

“As missile and other anti-aircraft threats continue to evolve and expand around the world, frontline helicopters will require a small but capable system to defeat these threats,” Leonardo DRS said in the statement issued Monday.

Leonardo DRS will provide engineering, design, development, integration and testing services for the contract. Because the system has open architecture, the system can be altered to adhere to different models, types and series of aircraft. The size, weight and power of the system can support a range of rotary and tilt-wing aircraft, according to the Leonardo DRS statement, and could include vertical lift programs.

Work on the contract will be performed at Leonardo DRS’ locations in Dallas, San Diego and Florida. It is expected to be complete by 2024.

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