General Dynamics [GD] says its Armament and Technical Products business has received a $34 million contract option for production, testing and field support packages for Joint Biological Point Detection Systems (JBPDS). The option brings the total value of the contract, which was originally awarded in 2004, to more than $260 million. The JBPDS is a self-contained instrument suite that rapidly detects and identifies biological warfare agents. The system is available in man-portable, shelter-based, ship-based and trailer-mounted variants. Work on the contract option is expected to be completed in late 2010.