News Review: EOS teams with Northrop Grumman for CROWS 3 | ADM Jul 2010

Canberra-based technology company Electro Optic Systems Holdings Limited (EOS) has signed an exclusive agreement with its part-owner, Northrop Grumman, to bid for the third phase of the US Army’s Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station (CROWS) program.

The US Army is expected to call tenders for approximately 10,000 CROWS 3 systems in late 2010.

EOS and its then-partner Recon Optical Inc. won the CROWS 1 contract in 2001.

In 2007, the CROWS 2 contract was awarded to Norwegian rival Kongsberg.

In 2009 EOS bought the (RWS) business of Recon Optical Inc. and currently has in production a weapon system which is fully compliant with both CROWS 1 and CROWS 2 requirements.

“EOS is very pleased to team with Northrop Grumman,” EOS’ chief executive officer Dr Ben Greene said.

“While we are proud of our own products in this market Northrop Grumman leadership and technology will significantly enhance our competitiveness.

“The pooling of Northrop Grumman and EOS technology will provide… easier integration of CROWS into the increasingly complex information and control systems used for weapon system deployment.”

Northrop Grumman Mission Systems Sector is prime contractor and systems integrator for the US Army’s Force XXI Battle Command, Brigade and Below (FBCB2) program.

Northrop Grumman’s proven, scalable production technology will deliver the demand responsiveness that the US Army is seeking while simultaneously enhancing product quality and endurance, Greene added.

Moreover, Northrop Grumman’s global supply chain provides efficient and economical access to large volumes of qualified materiel for production while its proven capability to provide weapon system support to US forces globally will clearly enhance EOS’s own capabilities.

Northrop Grumman Information Systems will serve as the prime contractor in this partnership with EOS.

Under the teaming arrangements substantial CROWS production capability will now move from EOS to Northrop Grumman plants in the USA for manufacture under license from EOS.

This manufacturing license includes substantial up-front license fees paid to EOS.

The balance of production will be allocated to existing EOS plants that will immediately be consolidated and upgraded for CROWS.