Northrop Grumman Delivers 150th Firefinder Shelter to the U.S. Army

Northrop Grumman Delivers 150th Firefinder Shelter to the U.S. Army
April 27, 2010

ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill. – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has announced the on-schedule delivery of the 150th next-generation Firefinder radar shelter to the U.S. Army.

Firefinder is an integrated radar system that detects and tracks hostile mortar rounds, artillery shells and rockets, instantaneously locating their source. It can handle simultaneous fire at multiple locations, detecting and reporting positions on the first round and is suitable for rapid deployment missions. Firefinder is C-130 transportable, ground mobile on HMMWV vehicles, helicopter transportable and easy to move from one vehicle to another on the battlefield.

Northrop Grumman's Land & Self Protection Division is providing electronics upgrades to the Firefinder radar shelters under a $285 million indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (ID/IQ) contract with the U.S. Army. A total of 50 Firefinder radar shelters are being upgraded for the Army as part of the ongoing radar system enhancement effort. The U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) is also in the process of upgrading its inventory of Firefinder radar systems with modernized radar shelters from Northrop Grumman.

"Our partnership with Northrop Grumman Corporation has seen the achievement of another significant milestone by the delivery of Firefinder Shelter Number 150," said Ted Hom, product manager Radars. "This system was fielded to the 3d Bn, 29th FA, 4th ID, Ft Carson, Colo. in support of the Army's Modularity Concept. The delivery of these Operation Central systems has enabled the U.S. Army and the USMC to introduce a much needed Electronic Upgrade to their fleets of AN/TPQ-36 and AN/TPQ-46 Radars as part of their sustainment and modernization programs necessary to support the warfighter and the war on terrorism. Northrop Grumman's transformation of the S-788 Lightweight Multipurpose Shelter (LMS) into a Radars Operations Central marked a significant milestone in the U.S. Army and USMC process of modernizing the TPQ-36 and 46 Radars. This new system provided the soldier with more operating space, a modern radar processor and the addition of a lightweight computer system which has greatly enhanced the radar's performance. I'm confident that shelter 150 will serve the Soldiers of the 4th ID and our nation with many years of outstanding service."

"Tobyhanna Army Depot is proud to be a member of the Firefinder team and to support Firefinder ATGs and shelters worldwide," said Col. Charles Gibson, the depot commander. "Tobyhanna personnel are dedicated to providing the finest C4ISR systems and support to our warfighters. Over the last several years, we have substantially increased the rate of production on these critical weapons-detecting radars by applying Lean Six Sigma techniques to our repair and overhaul processes."

"The delivery of our 150th Firefinder shelter represents a key milestone in the Army's effort to improve the operational performance, reliability and long-term supportability of the AN/TPQ-36 Firefinder system," said Pat Newby, vice president of Weapons and Sensors for Northrop Grumman's Land & Self Protection Division. "Thanks to these shelter electronics enhancements, Firefinder will continue to provide essential ground-based surveillance and weapons tracking capabilities for our nation's warfighters and international customers for many years to come."


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Artillery, Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC), Radar

Lockheed Martin Delivers 10,000th GMLRS Rocket to the U.S. Army

Lockheed Martin Delivers 10,000th GMLRS Rocket to the U.S. Army
April 27, 2010 11:54 AM

CAMDEN, Ark., --Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) marked the delivery of the 10,000th Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) rocket during a ceremony held at its Camden, AR, facility today. GMLRS is an all-weather, precision strike, artillery rocket system that achieves greater range and precision accuracy requiring fewer rockets to defeat targets and limiting collateral damage.

"The delivery of the 10,000th GMLRS marks a significant milestone in the program," said Col. David J. Rice, U.S. Army program manager for Precision Fires, Rocket and Missile Systems. "This is a superior system that provides responsive, precision fires enabled by unsurpassed system reliability and maintainability. The team, led by Lockheed Martin, consisting of both government and industry partners, has worked diligently to ensure mission success through this technology."

The system is produced at the company's facilities in Camden, AR, and Dallas, TX.

"The success of this system speaks for the quality work that our team is doing every day," said Col. Tony Daskevich, Army capability manager for Field Artillery Rocket and Missiles. "We are a constant in this fight, always mission ready and on target. Precision is the name of the game when it comes to our missions, and that is why our soldiers and leaders so appreciate this system."

GMLRS provides the Joint Warfighter with persistent, responsive, long-range precision strike capability against traditional and hybrid threats. GMLRS' reliability rate exceeds 98 percent and, to date, more than 1,500 rockets have been successfully fired in combat.

"This production milestone was made possible through the commitment of our hardworking employees here in Camden who are proud to provide this combat proven capability to the U.S. Army, the U.S. Marine Corps, and our allied forces," said Scott Arnold, vice president for Precision Fires at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control.

Guided Unitary is the newest variant of MLRS rockets which integrates a unitary warhead with a multi-mode fuze to expand the MLRS target set to include point targets within urban and complex environments, significantly minimizing collateral damage. In January 2005, the U.S. Army issued an Urgent Needs Statement for acceleration of Guided Unitary deliveries in support of ongoing operations. Lockheed Martin delivered the first 72 GMLRS Unitary rockets in June 2005 satisfying the requirements of the Urgent Needs Statement. The first 900-plus rockets were delivered to the U.S. in 2005 and 2006.

Camden Operations produces the combat-proven High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launcher and a family of munitions, which includes the Guided MLRS Rocket.

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General Dynamics Awarded $24 Million Contract for 155mm M795 Metal Parts Ammunition Production

General Dynamics Awarded $24 Million Contract for 155mm M795 Metal Parts Ammunition Production
April 21, 2010 11:04 AM

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., --General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems has been awarded a $23.9 million option on a previously awarded multi-year contract for production of M795
projectile metal parts. The contract was awarded by the U.S. Army Joint Munitions & Lethality Life Cycle Management Command (JM&L LCMC) of Picatinny Arsenal, N.J. The multi-year contract has a total potential value of $166.7 million if all options are exercised. The work on this contract will be performed at the company's Scranton Operations in Pennsylvania.

The 155mm M795 is a High Explosive/High Fragmentation artillery projectile that is fired from M777 and M198 towed howitzers and the M109A6 Paladin self-propelled howitzer. To date, General Dynamics has produced over one million 155mm M795 projectiles in support of the U.S. Marine Corps' Indirect Fire Mission.

"We are proud to continue to support the U.S. Marine Corps with superior artillery firepower for its combat mission," said Dr. Dean Bartles, vice president and general manager of large caliber ammunition for General Dynamics. "General Dynamics has a long legacy in supplying artillery ammunition and we look forward to continuing to support this Marines Corps capability."

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Artillery, Contract win, General Dynamics (NYSE:GD), USMC (US Marine Corps), USMC United States Marine Corps

Northrop Grumman Awarded U.S. Army Joint Fires Training Contract

Northrop Grumman Awarded U.S. Army Joint Fires Training Contract
March 25, 2010

HERNDON, Va. –– Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC), as part of a team, has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Army to provide training development, instruction and analysis to artillery observers and electronic warfare specialists at the Joint Fires Center of Excellence (COE) in Fort Sill, Okla.

Northrop Grumman Technical Services is a subcontractor to Potawatomi Training LLC, Oklahoma City, for the program. The Joint Fires COE contract is an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract with a potential value of more than $250 million over five years.

The Joint Fires COE provides training to all the military services emphasizing planning, coordinating and executing fires support in a joint operations environment. Northrop Grumman will provide training, training development and training analysis for joint fires courses at the COE.

"The Northrop Grumman team is mission-driven and dedicated to the success of the Joint Fires Center of Excellence," said Stephen Mitchell, program manager for the contract. "Northrop Grumman's performance culture ensures that we incorporate the latest proven tactics, techniques and procedures into the planning and execution of world-class training to our warfighters."

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Artillery, Contract win, Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC), US Army

U.S. Army Receives First Lockheed Martin EQ-36 Counterfire Target Acquisition Radar System

U.S. Army Receives First Lockheed Martin EQ-36 Counterfire Target Acquisition Radar System
July 7, 2009 9:04:00 AM

EQ-36 Radar Delivered After Live-fire Testing at Yuma Proving Ground

SYRACUSE, N.Y., -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) has delivered the first Non-Recurring Engineering Enhanced AN/TPQ-36 Counterfire Target Acquisition (EQ-36) Radar System to the U.S. Army.

The EQ-36 radar's delivery on July 2 followed its successful live-fire performance testing against indirect fire from mortars, artillery and rockets from a simulated enemy. The series of tests, held this spring at the Army's Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona, included engineering, contractor and government acceptance testing.

The on-time delivery of the first operational EQ-36 system was just 30 months after the Army's Program Executive Office - Intelligence, Electronic Warfare and Sensors awarded Lockheed Martin a $120 million design and development contract for five systems. EQ-36 radar systems will replace the aging TPQ-36 and TPQ-37 medium-range radars now in the Army's inventory.

"We've listened carefully to the U.S. Army and understand the urgent need to field EQ-36 to protect soldiers currently in the theater," said Carl Bannar, vice president of Lockheed Martin's Radar Systems business. "We're very proud to deliver this first operational EQ-36 system to our customer on schedule."

To accelerate the fielding of the EQ-36 radar, the U.S. Army in June 2008 exercised contract options with Lockheed Martin for 12 additional systems, which will include enhanced performance capabilities. Further, to support the war fighter, delivery of all 12 systems has been accelerated. With production for both orders now running in parallel, the remaining EQ-36 systems will be delivered by fall 2010.

In October 2007, the EQ-36 program completed a successful Preliminary Design Review and in March 2008, the program successfully completed its Critical Design Review.

In November and December 2007, a prototype EQ-36 radar, built by industry partner SRC, was tested against mortars and rockets at Yuma Proving Ground. During the tests, which were specifically designed to evaluate the radar's ability to meet U.S. Army requirements, the EQ-36 prototype successfully located the firing positions of both rocket and mortar launchers. Live fire testing was conducted over a seven-day period without a single false alarm.

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Artillery, Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT), Radar, US Army

Raytheon Awarded $73 Million U.S. Army Contract for Excalibur Ia-2 Rounds

Raytheon Awarded $73 Million U.S. Army Contract for Excalibur Ia-2 Rounds
October 2, 2009

TUCSON, Ariz., -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) received a $73.3 million U.S. Army contract for the production of Excalibur Ia-2 155 mm precision-guided projectile rounds.

Excalibur Ia-2 is the next generation of precision-guided projectiles for U.S. Army and Marine Corps artillery. Using GPS precision guidance technology, Excalibur rounds provide warfighters with an accurate first-round, fire-for-effect capability in urban settings.

"Instead of focusing on CEP (circular error probable) that allows for target misses up to 60 meters (196 feet), we're redefining what precision means to the warfighter today," said Steve Bennett, Raytheon's Excalibur program director. "Precision means consistently impacting the target within 10 meters (32 feet). Excalibur provides the warfighter with precision that is essential to the protection of civilians and combat forces."

Raytheon recently demonstrated the success of the Excalibur Ia-1's new inertial measurement unit by firing nine shots with a 100 percent success rate. Recent Excalibur Ia-2 testing demonstrated precision well within 10 meters (32 feet) of the target.

"Excalibur rounds are important to the success of our warfighters in Afghanistan," said Lt. Col. Mike Milner, U.S. Army Excalibur product manager. "They deserve the kind of precision capability Excalibur can deliver."

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New Inertial Measurement Unit Gives Raytheon's Excalibur Ia Increased Reliability

New Inertial Measurement Unit Gives Raytheon's Excalibur Ia Increased Reliability
August 4th, 2009

Raytheon resumes immediate production of the Excalibur Ia-1

YUMA PROVING GROUND, Ariz., Aug. 4, 2009 - Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) fired nine Excalibur Ia-1 precision-guided projectiles from a Paladin gun system. The test validates the increased reliability of the projectile's new Atlantic Inertial Systems inertial measurement unit (AIS IMU). Using the new IMU, Raytheon achieved a 100 percent success rate.

"Excalibur Ia-1 is an extraordinarily capable weapon," said Steve Bennett, Raytheon's Excalibur program director. "In an effort to provide ever-increasing performance and to meet changing operational requirements, we needed an IMU that met Excalibur's stringent standards."

Excalibur Ia-1 tests using the new AIS IMU began 10 months ago and have consistently demonstrated increased precision with an average impact distance of less than 2 meters (about 6 1/2 feet) from the target. These tests clear the way for Raytheon to resume immediate production of Excalibur Ia-1.

"We look forward to providing the warfighter increased quantities of precision Excalibur rounds," said Lt. Col. Mike Milner, U.S. Army Excalibur product manager. "Soldiers and Marines welcome the continued deliveries as Excalibur is critical to the success of their combat operations."

Raytheon continues thorough testing of all its Excalibur variants. Excalibur increment Ia-2 testing demonstrated better than 5 meter (slightly more than 16 feet) accuracy.

"We've got to start thinking of precision in a whole new way," said Jim Riley, Raytheon Missile Systems vice president of Land Combat. "We're used to thinking in terms of the circular error of probability, but precision is the way of the future. CEP doesn't limit collateral damage, nor does it keep our warfighters safe. Excalibur's proven precision is not only effective, it's essential for the protection of combat forces and civilians."

Excalibur Ia-1 has a unique guidance logic that acts as a built-in safety feature. The weapon will not arm itself unless the guidance logic determines it will impact the intended target. If the intended target cannot be hit, Excalibur rounds fly to a predetermined safe impact point.

Raytheon Company, with 2008 sales of $23.2 billion, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 87 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as a broad range of mission support services. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 73,000 people worldwide.

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Raytheon's Excalibur Ib Demonstrates Accuracy During First Guided-Flight Tests

Raytheon's Excalibur Ib Demonstrates Accuracy During First Guided-Flight Tests
July 6, 2009

YUMA PROVING GROUND, Ariz., -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) fired two precision-guided projectiles from a Paladin gun system during the first guided flight test of the Raytheon Excalibur Ib program.

The Excalibur Ib is a precision-guided artillery projectile based on Raytheon's combat-proven Excalibur 1a. The tests demonstrated how the new base design, changes to the Excalibur Ia warhead, fuzing and control actuation system work together to simplify the design, reducing round production costs and increasing system reliability.

The rounds, with Raytheon's new fixed-base design, software, and Excalibur Ia guidance and control section, exited perfectly from the gun tube, demonstrating correct fin erection and stable flight.

"Our robust and well thought out test program has achieved more than 50 successful test firings in less than a year," said Kevin Matthies, Raytheon's Excalibur Ib program director. "The Raytheon Excalibur Ib team continues to demonstrate the success of Raytheon's increased reliability design."

Raytheon's Excalibur Ib features a titanium base, uses fewer parts and requires simpler manufacturing than Excalibur Ia. Excalibur Ib is expected to reach full-rate production in 2016.

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Raytheon Fires First Excalibur Ib Projectiles From Swedish Archer Gun System

Raytheon Fires First Excalibur Ib Projectiles From Swedish Archer Gun System
June 12, 2009

PARIS, -- In a first-of-its-kind test, Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) fired four Excalibur Ib projectiles from a Swedish Archer gun system, demonstrating Excalibur Ib's compatibility with the system and meeting all test objectives.

"These outstanding results prove Raytheon's Excalibur Ib is meeting crucial design parameters, which guarantees exceptional weapon system performance," said Steve Bennett, director of Raytheon's Excalibur program. "With Excalibur Ib, Raytheon will provide the warfighter with a more affordable and reliable guided projectile."

The test enabled engineers to evaluate controlled flight and safe muzzle exit and validate the simulation used to predict Excalibur Ib performance.

The Excalibur Ib design is based on Raytheon's combat-proven Excalibur Ia. Raytheon's Excalibur Ib features a titanium base, uses fewer parts and requires simpler manufacturing. The result is increased reliability and a significantly reduced cost to deliver precision projectiles. Excalibur Ib is expected to reach full rate production in 2014.

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Artillery, Land Systems, Raytheon (NYSE:RTN)

U.S. Army Awards General Dynamics $35 Million for Modular Artillery Charge System

U.S. Army Awards General Dynamics $35 Million for Modular Artillery
Charge System

April 21, 2009

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The U.S. Army Joint Munitions and Lethality Contracting Center awarded General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products a multi-year contract for the Load, Assemble and Pack of the M231 and M232A1 Modular Artillery Charge System (MACS). The value of the order is approximately $35 million, with deliveries beginning this fall. General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products is a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD).

The MACS provides propelling charges with combustible cartridge cases
for 155mm artillery. The charges are compatible with new and existing howitzer systems and offer enhanced precision, increased range and a significant reduction in logistics. The M231 system is used primarily for training, and the M232A1 is designed for use with service rounds.

"The MACS program is a valuable munitions system for U.S. warfighters
because it eliminates the need to measure artillery powder and dispose of unused charges," said Russ Klein, vice president and general manager of weapon systems for General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products. "Over the past nine years, our Camden workforce has produced more than four million highly reliable charges, and we are proud to provide the necessary tools for success on the battlefield."

Production work will be performed at General Dynamics' facility in Camden, Ark., with program support taking place at the company's Burlington, Vt., facility.

General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products, located in Charlotte, N.C., provides a broad range of system solutions for military and commercial applications. The company designs, develops and produces high-performance weapon and armament systems, defensive armor, countermeasure systems, aerospace composite solutions, and is a leading U.S. producer of biological and chemical detection systems. More information about General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products can be found on the Internet at www.gdatp.com.

General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Va., employs
approximately 92,300 people worldwide. The company is a market leader in
business aviation; land and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and
munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and information systems and
technologies.

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Contract win, General Dynamics (NYSE:GD)

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Contract win, General Dynamics (NYSE:GD), Artillery

Boeing Team Delivers Recommendations on Fires Center of Excellence Integration to US Army

Boeing Team Delivers Recommendations on Fires Center of Excellence Integration to US Army

ST. LOUIS, April 14, 2009 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] and teammate Creative Technologies Inc. (CTI) have given the U.S. Army the team's final report in support of the new Fires Center of Excellence at Fort Sill, Okla. The report contains a five-year training strategy, an organization structure, and a "road map" for supporting technology.

The new center is a consolidation of the Army's Air Defense Artillery Center and School at Fort Bliss, Texas, with the Field Artillery Center and School at Fort Sill, following the 2005 Base Realignment and Closures Commission's recommendation to consolidate several Training and Doctrine Command installations. By consolidating two functionally related Branch Centers and schools at Fort Sill, the new Fires Center of Excellence will foster consistency, standardization, training proficiency, and task force stabilization for both branches in doctrine development and institutional training. It will bring Air Defense Artillery and Field Artillery courses, firepower training and doctrine development to one location.

"The Boeing and CTI team, which consisted of very experienced military and civilian training professionals, worked diligently to provide a thorough report, "said Mark McGraw, Boeing vice president, Training Systems & Services. "These recommendations will help the Army improve ground forces training around the world."

James Korris, president and CEO of Creative Technologies, added, "The study allowed us to deepen our knowledge of the customer while expanding our relationship with Boeing, our strategic partner in this market."

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world's largest space and defense businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world's largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $32 billion business with 70,000 employees worldwide.
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Boeing (NYSE:BA)

Lockheed Martin Successful in First Test of U.S. Army’s ATACMS Missile On British Army Launcher

Lockheed Martin Successful in First Test of U.S. Army’s ATACMS Missile On British Army Launcher

DALLAS, TX, January 26th, 2009 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] successfully proved the interoperability of the U.S. Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missile with British M270B1 launchers in a recent test at White Sands Missile Range, NM. The flawless test provided the members of the British military and U.K. Defence Equipment & Support delegation a close look at ATACMS as they work to further determine their artillery system requirements.

M270B1 is the designation for the U.K.’s Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) launcher, which has been in use with U.K. Forces since the early 1990s. The current M270B1 allows the firing of all MLRS rocket munitions, but not ATACMS, which is not fielded by the U.K. This test proved that with a simple system upgrade, the M270B1 can broaden its MLRS-based capabilities to include ATACMS.

“The ATACMS firing was a great success demonstrating the profound reach and precision that this missile brings,” said Mark Bunyan – U.K. Army Artillery Systems team leader.

The test used an ATACMS Unitary variant to destroy a target 130 kilometers away. The operation met all mission objectives, which included:

• Demonstrating the missile – U.K. launcher interface;
• Validating missile performance and accuracy;
• Proving performance of system software; and
• Obtaining performance, technical and reliability data.

“Lockheed Martin works hard to meet the needs of our customers,” said Scott Arnold, vice president for Precision Fires and Combat Maneuver Systems at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “We welcome the opportunity to strengthen customer capability with the full range of the MLRS family of munitions.”

In addition to the U.S., ATACMS is fielded in Bahrain, Greece, South Korea and Turkey.

During Operation Desert Storm, ATACMS became the first tactical surface-to-surface missile ever fired in combat by the U.S. Army. ATACMS is a combat-proven evolutionary family of missiles that also scored numerous successes again in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, where over 540 ATACMS missiles have been fired in the Global War on Terror with a reliability rating of over 98 percent.

Last year, as the system continued to evolve, an ATACMS Unitary missile was first fired from a HIMARS launcher equipped with a Universal Fire Control System. This evolutionary block upgrade and technology refresh of the MLRS Fire Control System resulted in a successful test, with a target destroyed approximately 75 kilometers away.

ATACMS is the world’s premier long-range missile artillery round designed specifically for destroying high-priority targets at ranges up to 300 kilometers. Successfully employed in both urban and non-urban environments, it is able to deliver a wide variety of warhead options. Moreover, it can operate in all climate and light conditions while remaining beyond the range of most conventional weapons. Each ATACMS missile is packaged in a MLRS launch pod and is fired from the MLRS Family of Launchers. The M270 and M270A1 launchers can carry two ATACMS missiles, or 12 MLRS rockets, in a full load. HIMARS carries a single ATACMS missile, or six MLRS rockets, and is C-130 transportable.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 146,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2008 sales of $42.7 billion.

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Artillery, British Army, Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT)

BAE SYSTEMS AWARDED $70 MILLION CONTRACT TO FINALIZE ARTILLERY DEVELOPMENT FOR SWEDEN AND NORWAY

BAE SYSTEMS AWARDED $70 MILLION CONTRACT TO FINALIZE ARTILLERY DEVELOPMENT FOR SWEDEN AND NORWAY

15 Jan 2009 | Ref. 010/2009

KARLSKOGA, Sweden - BAE Systems has been awarded a $70 million contract to finalize the development of the Archer artillery system for the Swedish and Norwegian armed forces. This order consists of final development of the self propelled gun, development of ammunition handling system and modular charges. Construction of a final prototype gun is expected to be completed by September 2009.

“When combined with the Excalibur GPS-guided munition, Archer is a state-of-the-art artillery system and will provide enhanced capabilities,” states Magnus Ingesson, president of BAE Systems AB. “Norway’s inclusion in Archer's final development will help solidify the Nordic Battle Group’s artillery capabilities.”

The Archer system is based on construction equipment modified with a self loading system and crew protected cockpit. It provides the crew with the ability to move to a safe distance 90 seconds prior to firing and remain protected throughout the deployment, firing of six rounds and redeployment.

As part of the contract, both governments hold an option to purchase 24 Archer systems each, for a total of 48, in September 2009. Construction for these systems is expected to be completed by 2011.

About BAE Systems
BAE Systems is the premier global defence and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information technology solutions and customer support services. With 100,000 employees worldwide, BAE Systems' sales exceeded £15.7 billion (US$ $31.4 billion) in 2007

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Artillery, BAE Systems (London:BA), Contract $50m, Contract Win, Norway, Sweden

BAE SYSTEMS SECURES CONTRACT WORTH $20 MILLION FROM U.S. ARMY FOR PALADIN DIGITAL FIRE CONTROL SUPPORT HARDWARE

BAE SYSTEMS SECURES CONTRACT WORTH $20 MILLION FROM U.S. ARMY FOR PALADIN DIGITAL FIRE CONTROL SUPPORT HARDWARE

04 Nov 2008 | Ref. 272/2008

YORK, Pennsylvania – BAE Systems, under a $20 million contract, will purchase and deliver Paladin Digital Fire Control Systems (PDFCS) kits and spare components for M109A6 Paladin vehicles to the U.S. Army.

“The Paladin Digital Fire Control system supports all communications and computer processing,” said Andy Hove, vice president of Combat Systems programs for BAE Systems. “Some of the kits under this contract will be installed on vehicles at fielding sites across the U.S. and the world, while others will be shipped to an Army Depot where they will be used on the Paladin reset line.”

Under this phase of the contract BAE Systems will purchase and ship 140 PDFCS kits and more than 60 spare components to support the system. To date, approximately 450 kits have been procured under this contract.

Work will be performed by the existing workforce at BAE Systems facilities in York, Pennsylvania; Sterling Heights, Michigan; and Anniston, Alabama beginning in September 2009. Deliveries are scheduled to be completed by January 2010.

The contract is managed by the Army’s TACOM Life Cycle Management Command.

The combat-proven M109A6 Paladin self-propelled howitzer provides increased performance, responsiveness and lethality. Its shoot and scoot capability protects the crew from counter battery fire. From the move it can receive a fire mission, compute firing data, select and take up firing positions, automatically unlock and point its cannon, fire and move quickly, day or night. Paladin’s range offers increased lethality and survivability, because the crew remains inside the vehicle throughout the mission.

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Artillery, BAE Systems (London:BA), Contract Win, US Army, Contract $20m

Sweden and Norway sign cooperative agreement for the development of the Archer artillery system

Sweden and Norway sign cooperative agreement for the development of the Archer artillery system
Publicerad: 2008-11-04 13:42

The Swedish Defence Material Administration (FMV) and its Norwegian equivalent FLO signed a cooperative agreement last week regarding development of the Archer system and acquisition of the sensor/weapon station Protector.

When Håkan Espmark from FMV and Asle Kjelsberg from FLO signed the agreement it was the first step in an intensified cooperation between Sweden and Norway in areas such as artillery. The time being it is a question of two contracts: an agreement on joint development of the Archer artillery system and an agreement to procure the Norwegian remote-controlled sensor and weapon platform Protector.

The development of Archer will be ongoing until 2010 and the first serial delivery is planned for the autumn of 2011.

Several agreements are in the pipeline: one on the procurement and one on the maintenance of Archer, one in the field of artillery ammunition, and one regarding a joint control and management system for indirect fire.

“This is the beginning of the fulfilment of the MoU that was signed by the countries in May 2007,” says Håkan Espmark, head of Land Procurement at FMV.
“I am looking forward to intensive and fruitful cooperation within these two cooperative agreements and those that will come in 2009,” says Asle Kjelsberg, head of FLO Investment.

Development work is now proceeding until 2010. FMV and FLO will begin negotiations with the Supplier BAE Systems Bofors on the assignment to complete the development and delivery of the series of Archer artillery systems.

FMV started technology studies in the mid-1990s in order to find a replacement for Haubits 77B. Several foreign systems were tested in parallel, all of which were dropped on the basis of high costs or because they did not meet requirements. The system has been rigorously tested with the help of two demonstrators.

The Archer system is built from recycling of parts of the classic Haubits model 77B and Volvo’s waist-controlled dumper A 30D. This makes the project cost-efficient. Modification for splinter and mine protection have created a safe work environment for the three to four soldiers who do not have to leave the cabin when getting ready to fire from a transport position within 30 seconds.

The Norwegian sensor and weapon platform Protector gives the operator the possibility to tend to the close-range protection of the unit. There are also sensors and other equipment for reconnaissance, observation and homing. The sensor and weapon platform Protector, apart from Archer, will also be used on other vehicle platforms in the Swedish and Norwegian defence forces that need their own protection.

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Artillery, Sweden, Norway

India MoD: ACQUISITION OF WEAPON LOCATING RADARS

India MoD: ACQUISITION OF WEAPON LOCATING RADARS

The Government proposes to acquire highly sophisticated Weapon Locating Radars to track and neutralize hostile artillery fire.

The Government has a proposal to procure, at an estimated cost Rs. 1498.00 crores, 28 weapon Locating Radars being developed jointly by M/s Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

This information was given by Defence Minister Shri AK Antony in a written reply to Shri MK Subba in Lok Sabha today.

Raytheon Receives $12 Million for Development of Excalibur 1b

Raytheon Receives $12 Million for Development of Excalibur 1b

TUCSON, Ariz., Oct. 20, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Army awarded Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) a $12 million contract for the initial design and maturation phase of the 155 mm, precision-guided Excalibur 1b projectile.

Excalibur 1b is the next increment in the development of the combat-proven Excalibur 1a munition. The new Excalibur design uses fewer parts and is easier to manufacture than the 1a round. The result is a more affordable projectile with enhanced reliability.

Capt. Victor Scharstein, assigned to the U.S. Army's 1st Cavalry Division, commanded a firing battery that employed Excalibur in Iraq. According to Scharstein, the Excalibur round was "amazingly accurate," and its fires produced a 92 percent success rate.

Excalibur 1a is an all-weather, precision munition that has repeatedly demonstrated better than 10 meter (32 feet) accuracy in combat. This accuracy enables U.S. warfighters to employ Excalibur within 70 meters (229 feet) of their own position, saving lives and limiting collateral damage.

"The Excalibur 1b combines the incredible success and reliability of the Excalibur 1a with a lower unit production cost," said Steve Bennett, Raytheon Missile Systems' Excalibur program director. "We are committed to providing the U.S. Army with this precision projectile, because we know it is a game- changer for soldiers deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan."

The contract award begins an 18-month design and maturation demonstration phase. It will be followed by a "downselect" for the 18- to 30-month system qualification phase and three years of low rate initial production.

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Artillery, Contract Win, Raytheon (NYSE:RTN), US Army

DE&S: Armour and new equipment gives rocket system extra punch

DE&S: Armour and new equipment gives rocket system extra punch

An Equipment and Logistics news article
30 Sep 08

A major project to provide enhanced protection for the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) has been completed by a Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) team based in Bristol.

The GMLRS system and its 70km-range multiple guided rockets have been a huge success in Afghanistan, providing land forces with their first organic precision fire capability. Around 140 rockets have been fired since going into service last year.

Now the GMLRS team, located within the Artillery Systems Integrated Project Team (IPT) at MOD Abbey Wood in Bristol, has completed urgent operational requirements (UORs) to give extra armour and equipment to enhance protection and help make the life of its three-strong crew safer and more comfortable.

Bar armour surrounds the cab with appliqué armour plates beneath, while under the vehicle mine protection plating has been added, all of which contributes to much higher levels of protection against rocket propelled grenades and improvised explosive devices.

Inside the cab are new energy absorbing seats and an enhanced day and night vision capability from three thermal imaging cameras with screens for driver and vehicle commander. There is also a machine gun, a wire cutter and air conditioning to help the crew when conditions in Helmand province turn hot. With the extra weight the vehicle carries, the suspension has been upgraded.

The time available to design, trial and fit all the systems in the UK and therefore ensure full system integration and give the crews time to familiarise themselves before deploying was limited:

"It is a very successful piece of kit and the feedback we are getting from the front line is very positive," said Den Parrett, the team's technical support manager for rockets.

"Since deployment in June last year, all the vehicles have remained 100 per cent operationally available, which is a remarkable achievement, especially as each vehicle is often fully switched on for up to 48 hours.

"The business case for the UORs was signed in March 2007 and the vehicles deployed in May this year. It has been hard work in a short time, but very satisfying. These UORs will make life a lot safer and more comfortable for the crew."

Armour, seats and the night vision equipment were provided by Lockheed Martin Insys, electronic equipment by Dytecna, and the Defence Support Group carried out the integration and fitting work at Donnington. A wide range of electronic and automotive trials were conducted mostly by QinetiQ.

Mr Parrett added:

"Everyone involved can take a lot of pride in the superb additional capability they have delivered. Contractors worked extremely hard in producing the various kits, in particular the outstanding work DSG Donnington carried out in fitting all the systems and getting the vehicles completed in time for deployment."

This article first appeared in the September 2008 edition of Desider: the magazine for Defence Equipment and Support.

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Artillery, British Army, Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S)

U.S. ARMY PLACES $152 MILLION ORDER FOR 12 ADDITIONAL LOCKHEED MARTIN EQ-36 COUNTERFIRE TARGET ACQUISITION RADARS

U.S. ARMY PLACES $152 MILLION ORDER FOR 12 ADDITIONAL LOCKHEED MARTIN EQ-36 COUNTERFIRE TARGET ACQUISITION RADARS

Contract Option in Addition To Five EQ-36 Radars Now In Production

SYRACUSE, NY, September 29th, 2008 --

To accelerate the fielding of the new Enhanced AN/TPQ-36 Counterfire Target Acquisition radar, the U.S. Army has exercised $152 million in contract options for 12 additional systems from Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT].

The EQ-36 radars will detect, classify, track and determine the location of enemy indirect fire such as mortars, artillery and rockets in either 90-degree or 360-degree modes. These systems will replace aging TPQ-36 and TPQ-37 medium-range radars, currently in the Army’s inventory.

The 12 new EQ-36 systems covered under the contract options are in addition to five radars that will be delivered to the Army's Program Executive Office – Intelligence, Electronic Warfare and Sensors within 36 months under a $120 million design and development contract awarded to Lockheed Martin in January 2007.

The 12 new systems will include enhanced performance capabilities in both the 90-degree and 360-degree modes of operation. Further, to support the war fighter, delivery of all 12 systems will be accelerated.

With both awards now running in parallel, the first of the combined 17 EQ-36 systems is on schedule for delivery to the Army by summer 2009; the last systems will be delivered by fall 2010.

In October 2007, the EQ-36 program completed a successful Preliminary Design Review and in March, the program successfully completed its Critical Design Review (CDR).

In November and December 2007, a prototype EQ-36 radar, built by industry partner Syracuse Research under an Army Technology Objective, was tested in full 360-degree counter-fire mode against mortars and rockets at the U.S. Army’s Yuma Proving Grounds in Arizona. During the tests, which were specifically designed to evaluate the radar’s ability to meet U.S. Army requirements, the EQ-36 prototype successfully located the firing positions of both rocket and mortar launchers in 360-degree mode. Live fire testing was conducted over a seven-day period without a single false alarm.

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Artillery, Contract Win, Lockheed Martin, US Army

Excalibur's Low-cost Titanium Base Tested in Harshest Anticipated Gun Environment

Excalibur's Low-cost Titanium Base Tested in Harshest Anticipated Gun Environment

SOCORRO, N.M., Sept. 3, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE:RTN) fired two Excalibur precision-strike artillery projectiles equipped with low-cost titanium (Ti) bases at the maximum charge level possible Aug. 7 as part of design testing for the new projectile.

Modular Artillery Charge System-5 is the maximum charge level for U.S. Paladin and M777 howitzers. Projectiles must be fired at this charge level to achieve their longest range. At MACS-5, Excalibur reached a range exceeding 40 kilometers (more than 24 statute miles) using U.S. artillery systems.

"When the commander needs cannon artillery, the Excalibur can achieve precision with discrimination at ranges we have not seen in the past," said Kevin Byrnes, vice president of Raytheon's Army programs. "This is a game-changer for soldiers deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan who fire Excalibur in combat operations."

The new Excalibur design uses fewer parts and requires simpler manufacturing, resulting in lower costs and increased reliability.

"The additional range achieved with MACS-5 will give more flexibility to maneuver commanders," said Steve Bennett, director of Raytheon's Excalibur program. "Success at the highest charge level is critical to meeting the warfighter's needs."

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Raytheon, Artillery, Land Systems