US DoD awards second production contract for FLIR’s CBRNE threat response system

The US Department of Defense (DoD) has awarded the second full-rate production contracted to FLIR Systems for its integrated chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosives (CBRNE) threat response system.

The $51.1m five-year indefinite/delivery and indefinite/quantity follow-on order will support the Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Dismounted Reconnaissance Sets, Kits, and Outfits (DR SKO) programme.

FLIR Systems president and CEO Andy Teich said: "Our continued success under the DR SKO programme is the result of FLIR’s commitment to product execution and customer support.

"We are pleased to support the US Government with these integrated systems that are designed to protect people against serious threats."

Under development since 2008, the DR SKO programme is a joint-service, US DoD initiative focused on CBRNE threat detection systems.

Used by the army, navy, air force, marines and civil support teams, the FLIR DR SKO system offers an integrated set of CBRNE detection, identification, sample collection, testing, and personal safety kits, which will allow personnel to carry out site assessment and consequence management missions.

Work under the contract will be performed out of FLIR’s facility in Elkridge of Maryland and fulfillment of the delivery order is expected to take place from September this year through up to April 2016.

FLIR Systems develops and markets sensor systems that will improve perception and awareness.

Its thermal imaging and threat detection systems are used for a wide range of imaging, thermography, and security applications, including airborne and ground-based surveillance, condition monitoring, research and development.

They can also be used for manufacturing process control, search and rescue, drug interdiction, navigation, transportation safety, border and maritime patrol and environmental monitoring.