ITT awarded contracts for land mine jammers
EDO makes the Warlock jammer, a derivative of its earlier “Shortstop” product; EDO has a new name for the anti-IED device — CVRJ (CREW Vehicle Receiver/Jammer) — and a new owner — ITT; company wins a new contract, worth up to $1 billion, for its jammer
IEDs are a big problem, and devising systems to combat them is big business. Here is an example: In April, BB&T Capital Markets upgraded EDO Communications & Countermeasures Systems of Thousand Oaks, California, to “buy,” in part because they thought EDO was well positioned to win a part of the $200-$500 million Counter-Radio Controlled Improvised Explosive Device (RCIED) Electronic Warfare (CREW) contracts going forward. CREW systems are vehicle-mounted electronic jammers designed to prevent the remote detonation of land mines. These are often triggered by off-the-shelf technology like cell phones, in order to avoid visible wires. EDO makes the Warlock jammer, a derivative of its earlier “Shortstop” product.
DID reports that those contracts appear to have come through, with awards for the system EDO now calls the CVRJ (CREW Vehicle Receiver/Jammer). The Pentagon refers to Spiral 2.1 Vehicle Mounted CREW systems, which are one element of the U.S. Department of Defense’s Joint Counter RCIED Electronic Warfare program. As the United States buys and fields more mine-resistant MRAP vehicles, IED jammers like the CVRJ and “Lockheed’s” Symphony are a natural accompaniment. A fact that should make EDO’s new owner ITT very happy — and has, thanks to a new contract worth up to $1 billion.
