DRS to continue support for mast-mounted sensors for OH-58D scout and attack helicopter avionics

DALLAS, 11 March 2012. U.S. Army helicopter avionics experts needed a defense contractor for field service and logistics assistance for the mast-mounted sight (MMS) on the Army's OH-58D Kiowa Warrior scout and attack helicopter. They found their solution from the DRS Technologies Inc. Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition (RSTA) Group in Dallas.

DRS RSTA won a $31.9 million contract Thursday from the Army Integrated Materiel Management Center (IMMC) of the Army’s Aviation and Missile Life Cycle Management Command (AMCOM) at Redstone Arsenal, Ala. DRS RSTA also has a major operation in Melbourne, Fla.

The MMS integrates a high-resolution visible camera, thermal imaging sensor, and laser rangefinder and designator, as well as a system processor, power supply, and protective shrouds. The system is designed to enable the Kiowa Warrior helicopter to observe and designate targets from behind cover by elevating the sensor system above trees, hills, and other protection.

The MMS first was deployed on the Kiowa three decades ago, DRS officials say. Over the past 10 years, RSTA has produced and delivered electronics and sensors in regular updates of components for the MMS at depots overseas and in the United States to keep the system current.

This award provides RSTA with MMS upgrade funding during 2012, and includes program management, quality oversight, supply chain management, engineering resources, field service facilities and support, logistics resources, operations management, contract administration, and financial administration.

The services are part of a $400 million MMS master contract for 2009-2013 that follows on a prior five-year master contract that ran from 2004 through 2008, DRS officials say.

For more information contact DRS RSTA online at www.drs.com/Products/RSTA.