Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) said it has been awarded a $22 million contract by the US Marine Corps (USMC) to help counter Improvised Explosive Devices.

US-based SAIC is a Fortune 500 (R) scientific, engineering, and technology applications company that uses its deep domain knowledge to solve problems of vital importance to the world, in national security, energy and the environment, critical infrastructure, and health.

The company will act as the program support integrator for the Marine Corps Counter Radio Controlled Improvised Explosive Device Electronic Warfare (CREW) program.

The single award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract has a five-year ordering period with a total ceiling value of more than $120 million, said a SAIC release.

The initial delivery order has a one year base period of performance and a total value of more than $22 million.Work will be performed as required throughout the US, Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Crew systems are vehicle-mounted, multiband radio frequency jammers designed to block enemy use of select radio frequencies and prevent the remote detonation of land mines.

This capability is needed to protect maneuver elements and entry control points from radio controlled improvised explosive devices. These devices can be used to detonate IEDs, providing insurgents with a safe stand-off distance from the explosion and the ability to utilize cover and concealment in their attacks.

As the program support integrator, SAIC will support Crew systems in areas including installation, logistics and maintenance, said a top official.

'There is a pressing need for large numbers of mobile, high power, programmable jammers that will defeat the link between the initiator and the receiver on an IED and protect friendly personnel,' said Jim Cuff, SAIC senior vice president and business unit general manager.

'We look forward to leveraging our experience as joint logistics integrator on the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) program, to help the USMC fulfill this need and accomplish critical Crew program objectives,' he added.

SAIC's 45,000 employees serve customers in the US Department of Defense, the intelligence community, the US Department of Homeland Security, other US Government civil agencies and selected commercial markets. SAIC had annual revenues of $10.1 billion for its fiscal year ended January 31, 2009.-TradeArabia News Service