OCT. 17–ST. LOUIS, MO–Engineered Support Systems, Inc. has received an order for $8.5 million from the U.S. Air Force for production of its field deployable environmental control units (FDECU).

The Air Force exercised options on an expedited basis under an existing contract to purchase the units in order to meet the military’s urgent surge requirements, according to Michael F. Shanahan, Sr., Engineered Support’s chairman and chief executive.

The FDECU has become a staple for most military units in remote areas where controlled air temperatures are required to include protection against chemical and biological agents. The FDECU is used to cool, heat, dehumidify, filter and circulate air for portable shelters, hospital systems, tents and fixed sites to satisfy electrical and personnel climate control requirements. The current order requires that all units be delivered to the Air Force within one year to support its heightened military operations around the globe.

More than 10,000 FDECU units have been ordered to date under a multi-year contract bringing the cumulative funded value of the contract to more than $116 million in total revenues. Including remaining unexercised production options, the entire remaining FDECU contract backlog stands at approximately $52 million with production expected to run through 2004.