Army orders C-RAMS from Northrop HUNTSVILLE, Ala., Jan. 31 (UPI) -- U.S. forward operating bases in Afghanistan will be protected by Counter-Rocket, Artillery and Mortar systems from Northrop Grumman. The contract from the U.S. Army Contracting Command to install and sustain the C-RAM systems, worth $122 million, includes C-RAMS to protect U.S. diplomatic personnel in Iraq. C-RAM integrates artillery and air defense sensors, a commercial off-the-shelf warning system and a U.S. Navy-developed interceptor for early warning and protection from indirect fire. It was initially deployed by the Army six years ago. "C-RAM is exemplary for smart integration of existing technology to serve critical needs," said Mike Twyman, vice president and general manager of the Defense Systems Division, Northrop Grumman Information Systems. We will continue our collaboration with the Army to enhance this system that has provided timely warning of more than 2,000 rocket and mortar attacks against our FOBs. Northrop said if all contract options were exercised, the total value of the award would be $311 million.