KONGSBERG signs increased CROWS II agreement with US Army

Defense News ~ WASHINGTON--January 6, 2010, (BUSINESS WIRE)--Last week, KONGSBERG signed a contract with the United States Army increasing the number of PROTECTOR Remote Weapon Stations (RWS) from 6,500 to 10,349 within the existing Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station (CROWS II) framework agreement. The value of this extended contract, initially signed in August 2007 and valued at $1.4B, may potentially increase up to $750M, depending on demand for complete CROWS II systems, spare parts and support within the limits of the extended CROWS II contract. In addition to the enhanced frame agreement, KONGSBERG also received a purchase order for additional PROTECTOR RWSs valued at $162M.
“The US Army has long demanded state-of-the-art technology to both save Soldiers’ lives and increase their battlefield effectiveness,” said Knut Saeter, Vice President of Kongsberg Protech Systems in Alexandria, VA. “The extension of the CROWS II framework agreement underscores the significant role that the PROTECTOR RWS plays in meeting those demands.”
The US Army’s CROWS II is a KONGSBERG design based on the PROTECTOR family of Remote Weapon Stations (RWS) already supplied to 16 nations around the world, replacing the discontinued CROWS I design previously provided in a limited number to the US Army by another supplier.
KONGSBERG’s PROTECTOR RWS is intended to enhance troop safety by enabling the operator to remotely control the system from inside the protection of an armored vehicle. Designed to mount on an array of vehicle platforms and support numerous weapon systems, the PROTECTOR RWS has been in full scale production since December 2001 and is qualified for global operations. With over 20 million hours of operation, the PROTECTOR RWS has a proven and unprecedented Operational Readiness Rate (ORR) of over 99%. With headquarters in Norway and production facilities in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, USA, Kongsberg Protech Systems maintains its position as the world’s leading provider of remote weapon stations.
Kongsberg Protech Systems is a business area within the KONGSBERG Group. As an international, knowledge-based company, KONGSBERG supplies high-technology systems and solutions to customers engaged in the oil and gas industry, the merchant marine, and the defense and aerospace industries. In 2008, KONGSBERG had a turnover of NOK 11 billion (approx. US $1.8 billion) with 5,371 employees in more than 25 countries as of 30 September, 2009. KONGSBERG is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange, Norway (OBX).
This contract was announced to the Oslo Stock Exchange (OBX) on 24 December, 2009.
For more information visit www.kongsberg.com or contact Erin Thomas Wasiak at kps.usoffice@kongsberg.com or 703-838-8910 to schedule an interview.

Contact:
KONGSBERG
Erin Thomas Wasiak,
703-838-8910
kps.usoffice@kongsberg.com