PARSIPPANY, N.J.-- DRS Technologies, Inc. and Smiths Detection recently formalized a teaming agreement for the joint development and production of the model 4A Chemical/Biological Protective Shelter (CBPS-M4A).

The agreement stems from a request by the customer, the Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical and Biological Defense, for DRS Technologies and Smiths Detection to explore the idea of a single design by working jointly to meet the CBPS Model 4A requirements.

Under the arrangement, the company's DRS Sustainment Systems unit in St. Louis, Missouri, and Smiths Detection, headquartered in Edgewood, Maryland, jointly will develop the M4A system. DRS will provide major subsystems to Smiths Detection for integration under a 10-year indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract. This production work could be valued at up to $190 million over the period of the contract. Manufacturing for DRS Technologies will take place at its West Plains, Missouri, location.

"This unique partnership is a win-win-win for DRS Technologies, for Smiths Detection, and ultimately, for our customer - the warfighter," said Thomas G. Cornwell, president of the DRS' Sustainment Systems Segment. "Adopting a single, common configuration also will produce significant lifecycle savings to the customer."

"DoD's joint chemical and biological community welcomes this teaming agreement and greatly appreciates the efforts of all who took on the difficult task of developing this beneficial partnership," added Stanley A. Enatsky, Joint Project Manager for Collective Protection.

The CBPS-M4A is a highly mobile, self-contained collective protection system that provides a contamination free, environmentally controlled working area for medical combat services and combat service support personnel to work freely without continuously wearing chemical-biological protective clothing.

DRS Technologies, headquartered in Parsippany, New Jersey, is a leading supplier of integrated products, services and support to military forces, intelligence agencies and prime contractors worldwide. The company employs approximately 10,000 people. For more information about DRS Technologies, please visit the company's web site at www.drs.com.

DRS Technologies
22.05.2008