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BAE Systems’ Precision Mortar Seeker Survives Gun-Level Shock Test NASHUA, N.H. -- BAE Systems has successfully completed initial 120mm mortar weapon-level launch shock tests of its semi-active laser seeker for the U.S. Army’s XM395 Precision Guided Mortar Munition (PGMM) cartridge. The seeker met all test objectives and maintained accuracy during an evaluation at Alliant Techsystems’ (ATK) rail gun test facility in Elk River, Minn. The milestone success opens the way to the program’s next phase — guided flight demonstrations scheduled for this spring. “This successful rail gun test is a key stepping-out point for the PGMM program,” said Dave Rathe, ATK program manager for PGMM. “The team is pleased with BAE Systems’ accomplishments to date, and we continue to be impressed by the capability of the semi-active laser seeker. The ATK-led team is confident in our readiness to start the first phase of the PGMM flight test program.” BAE Systems is partnered with ATK on the PGMM program, an advanced weapon system that offers soldiers a precise, multipurpose indirect fire capability. The nose-mounted seeker is one of several components in the PGMM cartridge. The ATK-led program is currently in system design and development, with production expected to begin in late 2008. “This was an extremely stressful test on the hardware,” said Kim Cadorette, BAE Systems’ PGMM program manager. “The seeker passed the test without degradation. We are continuing with production and look forward to the upcoming seeker and mortar-round guided flight tests.” The semi-active laser seeker uses BAE Systems’ Distributed Aperture Semi-Active Laser Seeker technology, which has exceptionally high sensitivity coupled with accurate angle accuracy over a large field of view. ATK and the U.S. Army have planned extensive testing to ensure that the first PGMM production rounds will be ready for delivery by 2010. Source: BAE Systems First Export Order for Caesar Artillery System VERSAILLES-SATORY: Giat Industries has just been awarded a contract by Thailand for 6 Caesar systems and their environment to equip an artillery battery of the Thailand Army. Caesar is an innovative 155mm/52 calibre weapon, based on a 6X6 truck with an armoured cab, fitting the fire control, a significant amount of ammunition and the gun crew in one piece in order to ensure autonomy and reactivity. Mobility, firepower, ease of operation and survivability are the key features of this new system. Caesar is a fully interoperable artillery howitzer. It can be carried in a single load in a C-130 cargo aircraft. Compared with towed guns, the time required for combat readiness is dramatically reduced: in less than two minutes, Caesar fires a burst of six rounds and comes out of action, beginning that way its "escape move" necessary to avoid counter-battery firings from the enemy. The system has a firing range of 40 km. The versatility of Caesar makes it suitable to deliver fire support to all types of motorized, mechanized and armoured military units, especially those designed for rapid deployment. "This export contract of the Caesar system is the first major result of our export efforts for this system" said Luc Vigneron, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Giat Industries. Giat Industries has been present in Thailand for more than 15 years, providing 105 mm artillery systems, associated ammunition and also medium caliber equipment for the Royal Thai Forces. Giat Industries' mission is to meet the requirements of the French Army as well as other armies worldwide. Giat has acquired unrivalled expertise in all the components of modern air-land systems: protection, command, mobility, fires, and support. Giat Industries generated revenues of 731 million euros in 2005 and allocates 14 % of sales invested in research and development. Giat Industries equipment and customer's services: MBTs as Leclerc, armoured vehicles as VBCI, artillery systems as Caesar, ammunition as Bonus, Battlefield Management Systems as SIT V1, innovative customer services and upgrades are in service in over 100 countries. Source: Giat Industries U.S. Marine Corps Selects Lockheed Martin To Build Lightweight Prime Mover Truck For New Howitzer OWEGO, NY, -- The United States Marine Corps has awarded Lockheed Martin a contract to manufacture Lightweight Prime Mover (LWPM) trucks to tow the new M777 155-mm lightweight artillery howitzer. The $2.1 million Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP) contract is for four vehicles. Under the contract, the Marine Corps has the option for full-rate production of 120 LWPM vehicles, which represents a potential value of approximately $30 million. “Lockheed Martin will provide the Marines with a safe, proven and survivable truck that will support the Corps’ high mobility needs and meet their demanding expeditionary requirements,” said Louis J. DeSantis, vice president and general manager, Integrated Products at Lockheed Martin Systems Integration – Owego. “Our LWPM assembly line will start work immediately so we can deliver these stronger, safer trucks as quickly as possible.” Lockheed Martin’s LM4x4 truck will serve as the LWPM. Built on the proven High Mobility Transport (HMT) design, the LM4x4 provides a superior weight-to-payload ratio, enabling the approximately 9,000-pound vehicle to easily tow the 10,000-pound M777 howitzer. The LM4x4’s all-terrain capability allows it to keep pace with armored vehicles and it is air-transportable inside the C-130 Hercules tactical transport aircraft. The vehicle also can be externally carried by CH-53 and CH-47 helicopters, and the V-22 tilt-rotor aircraft. The LM4x4 has been engineered to accept appliqu? armor, significantly improving troop safety and survivability. The vehicle also features rollover protection and fording capabilities, and a central tire inflation system that automatically adjusts air pressure to terrain and payload needs. The Marine Corps contract is Lockheed Martin’s third significant achievement in the military truck market this year. The company announced in late January that it had acquired HMT Vehicles Limited, a United Kingdom-based developer of designs for military vehicles and the designers of the platform the LM4x4 is based on. Lockheed Martin plans on incorporating HMT’s designs into its U.S. programs such as the LWPM and the Army’s Future Tactical Truck System (FTTS). Lockheed Martin also announced in early February that it had been selected to build an LM4x4 technology demonstration utility vehicle for the second phase of the U.S. Army’s FTTS Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration. The company will deliver the vehicle to the Army this fall and the truck will then undergo a Platform Systems Demonstration and a Military User Assessment. The results of these evaluations will be used to refine the requirements for the next generation of tactical wheeled vehicles. Source: Lockheed Martin |
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