NEWS BRIEFS

Chelmsford, MASS. — Mercury Computer Systems, Inc. announced that it has been selected by DRS Technologies, Inc. to supply its RACE++ Series products for the signal processing unit for the SIRIUS Long-Range Infrared Search and Track (LR-IRST) system developed by DRS Technologies and Thales Naval Systems Nederland. Mercury, a leading provider of embedded digital signal and image processing systems, will work with the DRS Flight Safety and Communications unit based in Carleton Place, Ontario, Canada, to provide the solution to their high-performance signal processing system requirements. The initial order is valued at $215,000 to Mercury and represents a potential five-year revenue stream of approximately $2.5 million.

Mercury was selected by DRS based on a rigorous cost, technical and managerial evaluation. “The SIRIUS system requires the most advanced processing capability available,” said Lucas Maglieri, vice president and general manager, DRS Flight Safety and Communications. “Mercury’s ability to provide commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) and rugged off-the-shelf (ROTS) products to meet the program’s requirements is expected to ensure the highest level of system performance and reliability for the critical missions of SIRIUS.”

Under joint development by the prime contractor, Thales Naval Systems Nederland and DRS Flight Safety and Communications in Canada, the SIRIUS Long-Range Infrared Search and Track system is an automatic infrared detection and target tracking system for anti-ship missiles and aircraft. Designed to be an integral part of the ships’ local area defense system, it complements existing radar surveillance systems under conditions unfavorable for radar alone. SIRIUS provides continuous passive horizon search for sea-skimming anti-ship missiles, threat identification, cueing and track correlation, engagement guidance and target assessment. Recent U.S./Dutch studies show that SIRIUS also has the potential to enhance a naval Tactical Missile Defense (TMD) capability.

“DRS Technologies has a world-class prime contracting capability and is one of the fastest-growing defense electronics companies in the world,” said Vince Mancuso, vice president and general manager, Government Electronics Group, Mercury Computer Systems. “We are pleased to be working with DRS to provide a higher level of security for international allied operations.”

DRS Technologies provides leading-edge products and services to government and commercial customers worldwide. Focused on defense electronics, the company develops and manufactures a broad range of mission critical products, from rugged computers and peripherals to systems and components in the areas of communications, combat systems, data storage, digital imaging, electro-optics, flight safety and space. Additional information is available on the company’s web site at http://www.drs.com .

Thales Naval Systems Nederland (previously known as Thomson-CSF Signaal) is a global supplier and integrator of a wide range of equipment for above water warfare. The main products and services are active and passive surveillance systems, weapon control systems for guns and missiles, combat management systems, combat system integration, and life cycle support services. Other Thales Nederland units are involved in e.g. low level air defense, electro-optics and telecommunications.

Mercury Computer Systems, Inc. is the leading independent producer of high-performance embedded, real-time digital signal and image processing computer systems that transform sensor data to information for analysis and interpretation. Mercury’s products play a critical role in a wide range of defense electronics and medical imaging applications. In air-, sea- and land-based military platforms, these systems process real-time radar, sonar and signals intelligence data. Mercury’s systems also are used in state-of-the-art medical diagnostic devices, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), positron emission tomography (PET) and the rapidly growing field of digital X-ray.

Based in Chelmsford, Massachusetts, Mercury serves customers in North America, Europe and Asia through its direct sales force and a network of subsidiaries and distributors.

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