WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Susan Collins, a senior member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, announced today that the U.S. Army has awarded Kongsberg a contract for the Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station system and system spares worth $14.8 million. The contract has a maximum value of $51 million. This contract will allow Kongsberg and its Maine subcontractor, Vingtech of Biddeford, to manufacture the weapon system that provides soldiers the capability to identify and engage enemy targets from the inside of a protected armored vehicle.
"I have seen the CROWS in operation first-hand, and it is one of the most requested weapons systems by soldiers serving overseas. This contract will make more of these systems available throughout the Army and also provide significant work for Vingtech," said Senator Collins.
Funding for the CROWS weapons system was authorized in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 and the Consolidated Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2013. Senator Collins supported both measures.