Now it has teamed with Northrop Grumman to try and oust Kongsberg's hold on the current CROWS remote controlled weapon systems fitted to a range of armoured and other vehicles by US and NATO forces and the Australian Army.
The CROWS vehicle-mounted stations allow soldiers to locate, identify and engage targets with better accuracy and improved range, while the gunner remains safely inside an armoured vehicle.
Under the agreement announced recently, Northrop Grumman will be the prime contractor and systems integrator if the team is selected for CROWS 3.
The US Army Tank-Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center, Warren, Michigan, is expected to release a request for proposals for approximately 10,000 CROWS 3 systems in late 2010.
The Army plans to equip its entire inventory of tactical vehicles under the CROWS 3 program, making the total program worth as much as $4 billion.
No doubt Kongsberg is also making preparations to contest the CROWS 3 contract.