Biddeford weapons company gets $970m army contract | News

BIDDEFORD, Maine (NEWS CENTER) - A company in Biddeford will get $970 million from the army to build a specialized gun that the user can operate remotely.

Senator Olympia Snowe applauded the decision in a news release issued Tuesday.

Senator Snowe says the army awarded a 5 year, $970 million dollar contract to Kongsberg Protech Systems for continued production of the M153 Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station (CROWS II).

CROWS II is a turret with light and medium caliber weapons. The user can control the weapon from a remote location, like inside a vehicle or behind cover.

Senator Snowe says the contract will allow the current 35 employee workforce to keep their jobs secure for the next five years.