Army orders bio-detection systems

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CHARLOTTE, N.C., Sept. 13 (UPI) -- General Dynamics has received a $30 million U.S. Army contract for Joint Biological Point Detection Systems Production and Support.

The award from the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command Acquisition Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., is a six-year, indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract .

It has a potential value of as much as $300 million if all options are exercised.

General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products said it has supported the Army's JBPDS program since 2001, delivering more than 700 units to date.

The JBPDS is a self-contained instrument suite that rapidly detects and identifies biological warfare agents. Available in man-portable, shelter-based, ship-based and trailer-mounted variants, the JBPDS can be configured to meet the operational requirements of the U.S. Army and Navy.

Under the new contract, production of the JBPDS units will begin next April.

Work will be performed at the company' s facility in Charlotte, N.C., the company said.