Army orders more bomb jammers

Army officials announced earlier this week they awarded a $7.9 million contract to EDO to build more devices designed to help U.S. and coalition forces in Iraq guard against roadside bombs.

Officials at EDO's Communications and Countermeasures division will build 100 Warlock Green and 500 Warlock Red electronic countermeasure units under the new deal. They must complete the work by June, according to a Nov. 30 Defense Department contracts' statement.

Warlock Green emits a radio frequency to jam communications signals that detonate roadside bombs, called improvised explosive devices. EDO also manufactures a less sophisticated jammer called Warlock Red.

Roadside bombs are frequently used by insurgents in Iraq.

This marks the third contract that Army officials awarded to EDO to build the electronic countermeasure units, which the company started delivering to U.S. and coalition forces in June. They awarded the company a $47.4 million contract in late 2003 to build an unspecified number of devices and a $6.8 million contract in March for 132 Warlock Greens.