ITT Exelis receives $56 million U.S. Army order for SINCGARS equipment

FORT WAYNE, Ind.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ITT Exelis (NYSE: XLS) has been awarded an order from the U.S. Army valued at $56 million to provide power amplifiers and vehicular adapters for use with existing radios operated by the U.S. Army and the National Guard.

“Through the delivery of ancillary items such as these, along with technology upgrades to the existing fleet of radios, SINCGARS will continue to meet the Army’s fielding plan for the next 15 to 20 years”

The Vehicular Amplifier Adapter (VAA) serves as an interface between the SINCGARS (Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System) radio and the vehicular power source; the Radio Frequency Power Amplifiers (RFPA) amplifies a lower-power radio signal to extend the range of the signal.

SINCGARS provides secure VHF voice and data communications capability to tactical units across the U.S. Army. With more than 570,000 radios delivered to date to the United States and many of its allies, SINCGARS is the most prolific tactical radio system in the world.

“Through the delivery of ancillary items such as these, along with technology upgrades to the existing fleet of radios, SINCGARS will continue to meet the Army’s fielding plan for the next 15 to 20 years,” said Bob Durbin, acting vice president and general manager of the Communications and Force Protection Systems business area. “In today’s challenging environment, this new and modern fleet of radios with a well-defined roadmap of enhancements and improvements provides the backbone of a very capable communications network, both now and in the future.”

Exelis has developed, manufactured and supported six generations of continually improved SINCGARS radios since the first radio was delivered in 1988. Since then, the company has delivered enhancements in functionality and software while reducing size, weight and power requirements, enabling SINCGARS to meet emerging battlefield demands.

The latest technology upgrade for the radio is the development of SideHat, an attachable appliqué designed to host the Exelis-developed Soldier Radio Waveform (SRW) on a second channel. Coupling SideHat with the installed base of SINCGARS in the U.S. Army provides an efficient and cost-effective mechanism for distributing SRW across the battlefield.

About ITT Exelis

ITT Exelis is a diversified, top-tier global aerospace, defense and information solutions company with strong positions in enduring and emerging global markets. Exelis is a leader in networked communications, sensing and surveillance, electronic warfare, navigation, air traffic solutions and information systems with growing positions in cyber security, composite aerostructures, logistics and technical services. The company has a 50-year legacy of innovation and technology expertise, partnering with customers worldwide to deliver affordable, mission-critical products and services for managing global threats, conflicts and complexities. Headquartered in McLean, Va., the company employs about 20,500 people and generated 2011 sales of $5.8 billion. www.exelisinc.com