The joint project between the State Department Nonproliferation and
Disarmament Fund and the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of
"The elimination of three major categories of munitions is a major
accomplishment," said SAIC Program Manager
SAIC advised the Albanian Ministry of Defense in planning, organizing, and conducting the entire disposal operation, which was completed in nine months, half the time estimated by the State Department. SAIC provided safety and ordnance disposal training for Albanian Armed Forces transportation personnel and explosive ordnance disposal teams, and supervised all aspects of the demilitarization and disposal processes between Albanian Armed Forces organizations and SAIC subcontractors. More than 100 local nationals were hired by SAIC's principal Albanian subcontractor, National Demilitarization Center to conduct the work.
To reduce potential hazardous metal contamination typically caused by open detonation, thermite (a compound that ignites without explosion) was used to burn most of the explosive material. In addition, the explosive content of the munitions was burned at newly designated range areas at or near existing military installations where the munitions were stored. This reduced transport risk through populated areas and shaved weeks off the project schedule.
"I am very pleased with what our team has accomplished with this program,"
said
Other results of the project include the redeployment of approximately 90 Albanian military personnel that had been responsible for protecting the munitions, the potential reuse of military installations for civilian purposes and the ability of the Albanian government to sell nearly 1,900 tons of high-quality scrap metal.
For their exceptional efforts, the Albanian Ministry of Defense awarded SAIC team members medals for distinguished and outstanding service for their efforts on the project.
SAIC is a leading provider of scientific, engineering, systems integration
and technical services and solutions to all branches of the U.S. military,
agencies of the Department of Defense, the intelligence community, the U.S.
Department of Homeland Security and other U.S. Government civil agencies, as
well as to customers in selected commercial markets. With approximately
44,000 employees in more than 150 cities worldwide, SAIC engineers and
scientists solve complex technical challenges requiring innovative solutions
for customers' mission-critical functions. SAIC had annual revenues of
SAIC: FROM SCIENCE TO SOLUTIONS(R)
Statements in this announcement, other than historical data and
information, constitute forward-looking statements that involve risks and
uncertainties. A number of factors could cause our actual results,
performance, achievements, or industry results to be very different from the
results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such
forward-looking statements. Some of these factors include, but are not limited
to, the risk factors set forth in SAIC's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
period ended
Contact: Melissa Koskovich, McLean Laura Luke, McLean 703/676-6762 703/676-6533 koskovichm@saic.com laura.luke@saic.com
SOURCE SAIC