Exelis Wins $13 Million AV-8B Harrier Aircraft Upgrade Contract

Exelis has won 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. 

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."

"The DITER delivers a modern, high-performance airborne carriage and release capability," said Pete Martin, director of defense systems for the Exelis electronic attack and release systems business area. "The systems will improve the Harrier's ability to deliver payloads successfully and will contribute to overall mission effectiveness."

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, N.Y.