Exelis has received a contract valued at more than $13 million from the U.S. Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) to supply upgraded carriage and release technology for the AV-8B Harrier aircraft (photo).

Exelis is a leading producer of pyrotechnic and pneumatic systems that allow aircraft to safely carry and release a variety of stores, including weapons, pods and external fuel tanks.

Under the contract, Exelis will produce 181 BRU-70/A digital improved triple ejector rack (DITER) units to upgrade the AV-8B’s existing carriage and release system, the BRU-42. With increased carriage capacity and “smart” precision-guided payload compatibility, the DITER represents a significant capability upgrade for the iconic Harrier “jump jet.”

Of the 181 units Exelis will produce, 20 will be transferred to Spain, a member of the U.S. Navy-administered joint international program that also includes Italy. Deliveries of the DITER are scheduled to begin in mid-2015 and will be completed by March 2016. Work will be performed at the Exelis Electronic Systems facility in Amityville, New York.

Exelis has also received a $32 million, five-year IDIQ (indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity) award to supply airborne surveillance radars, spares, support equipment and technical services to the U.S. Coast Guard.

Integrated on the U.S. Coast Guard’s HC-130J Super Hercules long-range surveillance aircraft, the AN/APY-11 multimode radar is designed to support the service’s maritime reconnaissance mission, which includes long-range surveillance, search and rescue, drug interdiction, counterterrorism and maritime environmental support. The radar’s multi-functionality will augment the U.S. Coast Guard’s situational awareness and ability to conduct missions successfully.

First provided to the U.S. Coast Guard under a 2005 contract award, the AN/APY-11 multimode radar is produced by Exelis and partner ELTA Systems Ltd. This is the second contract given recently to Exelis to supply the AN/APY-11 radar to the U.S. Coast Guard. The first for $6.5 million was awarded to the company in October 2012.