The U.S. Navy has issued a contract for software for modeling the effects of the release of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear materials.

The software is to be developed and integrated by General Dynamics Information Technology and will serve as the foundation for the Navy's Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command's Joint Effects Model Increment 2 System.

"General Dynamics has a strong foundation of CBRN scientific subject matter experts who understand both the parameters and requirements for successful model development," said Ed Hudson, vice president and general manager of General Dynamics Information Technology's Network and Mission Systems sector. "We look forward to continuing our relationship with SPAWAR and expanding our presence in the chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive weapons community."

The JEM science and technology prototype is to provide rapid CBRN defense planning capabilities to remotely deployed warfighters through web application interfaces.

General Dynamics said the contract has a potential value of $23.5 million over five years if all options are exercised. Work will be performed at company facilities in New York, Rhode Island and California.