BEAVERCREEK — Science Applications International Corp. said it has been awarded an Air Force contract worth up to $45.6 million for research and development of infrared technologies intended to help protect Air Force aircraft from missile attacks.

The contract is for a period of five years and three months, SAIC said Monday, Nov. 10. The Air Force Research Laboratory's sensors directorate at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base will manage the work.

SAIC said its mission is to support operational and performance improvements for sensors and counter-measure technologies to protect aircraft against ground-to-air and air-to-air missile attacks.

SAIC has a Beavercreek office. The defense contractor has major offices in San Diego and McLean, Va., and employs about 45,000 people in more than 150 cities worldwide.