Microwave Journal
www.microwavejournal.com/articles/12123-us-army-awards-src-9-m-contract-for-owl-radar-prototype-development

US Army Awards SRC $9 M Contract for OWL Radar Prototype Development

December 8, 2011

The US Army's Intelligence and Information Warfare Directorate has awarded a contract to SRC Inc., formerly Syracuse Research Corp., for the development of an Omni-Directional Weapon Location (OWL) radar system. The contract includes a 32-month award valued at approximately $9 M. Under the terms of this contract, SRC will develop the OWL system design and produce a technology demonstrator prototype to be evaluated in 2013.

"We are extremely proud of this contract award for OWL, as it is further evidence of our leadership in radar development. The innovative design and technological advances of the OWL system will provide an impressive capability for the Army," said Paul Tremont, President of SRC. "For more than 50 years, SRC has been committed to keeping America safe and strong, and our mission continues to drive our motivation to create systems that save lives, like the OWL radar."

The OWL radar will be a state-of-the-art, yet affordable, weapon location radar system, providing the Army with the ability to detect, track and locate mortar, cannon and rocket firing positions with unprecedented accuracy over a wide variety of threat trajectories. OWL is a multi-mission-capable system that provides surveillance over a hemispherical coverage area.

In response to the contract award, Sen. Charles E. Schumer stated, "We know our highly skilled workforce can compete amongst the best of the best and win. SRC's award reaffirms central New York's commitment to innovating and succeeding in the highly competitive defense industry and their work with the OWL radar contract will keep our service members safe, our local workforce on the job and our nation protected."

US Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand said, "The Army's decision to award this important contract to SRC is direct testimony to the outstanding work this New York company is doing, especially in the area of advanced radars. The OWL radar system will not only strengthen a terrific local company, but the system will ensure the safety of our troops."

Congresswoman Ann Buerkle also lauded SRC.

"I would like to congratulate SRC on this award in support of the OWL program," she said. "SRC's continued growth and expansion is good news for the central New York economy and for ongoing efforts to advance this region as a top location for high tech businesses and research and development."

SRC is known for its high tech development capabilities, such as its Lightweight Counter-Mortar Radar, which was named Army's "Top Ten Greatest Inventions." In addition, SRC has successfully developed and tested other systems, including the Army's enhanced Multi-Mission Radar, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's FORESTER foliage penetration radar and the Army's Advanced Ground Electronic Warfare System.