ARLINGTON, Va., Nov. 21, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- DRS
Technologies, Inc., a Finmeccanica Company, announced today that
its On-Board Vehicle Power system, a high-powered DRS/Allison
Transmission Integral Generator installed on combat vehicles, will
be included in the U.S. Army's critical field testing for network
technology.
The On-Board Vehicle Power (OBVP) system generates power to
operate a host of command, control, communications, computers and
other sensors on battlefield vehicles by transforming the vehicle's
powertrain into an electrical power plant and reducing the reliance
on heavy generators to power numerous electrical
systems.
"All fielded C4ISR equipment needs power, from soldier radios to
brigade servers. The constant access to power is vital to
maintain connectivity," said Mike
Sarrica, president of DRS Network and Imaging Systems
group. "The DRS and Allison OBVP offering demonstrates
multiple proven technologies that deliver improved capabilities to
meet the requirements of Army Network and Mission Command
modernization efforts," he continued.
The field testing at the Army's Network Integration Evaluation
is designed to keep pace with rapid advances in communications
technologies and deliver proven and integrated network capabilities
to soldiers. In addition to the usual network and communication
systems that are typically put to the test in this bi-annual
assessment, DRS's OBVP system will be employed and evaluated on two
separate, DRS-sponsored concept vehicles, the Mobile Integrated
Command Post (MICP) vehicle and the Mission Command On The Move
(MCOTM) vehicle – both repurposed Navistar MaxxPro Mine Resistant
Ambush Proof (MRAP) vehicles.
"Today's network and mission command systems require access to
reliable, efficient and mobile power solutions," Sarrica said.
"Towed generators limit cross-country mobility, take up valuable
space when deploying, and add to the logistics sustainment burden
of our forces."
The OBVP system, manufactured by DRS's Network and Imaging
Systems group, reduces the logistical footprint, increases
battlefield mobility and enhances expeditionary mission capability
for deployment. The technology works with combat vehicle
platforms such as Stryker, MRAP, and the family of medium tactical
vehicles that use the Allison 3000 series transmission. The
technology does not alter the vehicle's drive line and reduces the
logistical burden that is typically associated with generator
systems. Moreover, the OBVP system operation does not require a new
military operational specialty; it is simply operated by the
vehicle driver.
The MICP and MCOTM vehicle modernization concepts directly
address multiple operational gaps facing today's Army. These
concepts deliver persistent battlefield power while reducing their
respective prime mover requirements while simultaneously increasing
battlefield mobility.
About DRS Technologies
DRS Technologies is a leading supplier of integrated products,
services and support to military forces, intelligence agencies and
prime contractors worldwide and is the 2013 recipient of the
Defense Security Service Award for Excellence in
Counterintelligence as well as three James S. Cogswell Awards for
Outstanding Industrial Security Achievement. The company is a
wholly owned subsidiary of Finmeccanica SpA (FNC.MI), which employs
approximately 70,000 people worldwide. Within DRS, the Network and
Imaging Systems (NIS) group manufactures and supports advanced
electro-optical sensor systems, and develops innovative networking
capabilities that integrate these sensors in a broader tactical C4
environment. NIS is based in Dallas,
Texas; Melbourne, Fla.;
Cypress, Calif.; Huntsville, Ala.; and the UK. For more
information about DRS Technologies, please visit the company's
website at www.drs.com.
For additional information please contact:
Michael Mount
Director, Public Affairs
571-447-4624
mmount@drs.com
SOURCE DRS Technologies, Inc.
