IAI/Tamam Division U-MOSP Payload selected for U.S. Navy's Vertical Takeoff Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
Feb 27, 2000
Northrop Grumman is Prime Contractor
The U.S. Navy announced a few days ago that they selected the Northrop Grumman Corporation's Integrated Systems and Aerostructures Sector as the winner of the Vertical Takeoff and Landing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (VTUAV) competition. The air vehicle will incorporate a UAV-Multi Mission Optronic Stabilized Payload (U-MOSP) developed and manufactured by Israel Aircraft Industries'Tamam Division.
Northrop Grumman was awarded a $93.7 million contract for Engineering and Manufacturing Development (E&MD) phase and for options for three Low Rate Initial Production (LPIR) systems. Tamam's portion of the E&MD and LRIP phases is worth approximately between $9 million and $10 million.
Following the E&MD and LRIP stages, the U.S. Navy is expected to order a minimum of 75 air vehicles with payloads. Tamam will continue to be subcontractor to Northrop Grumman Electronic Sensors and System Sector during the full production phase of the program.
The VTUAV will provide real-time and near real-time data required to support intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance. Vertical launch and recovery capabilities give the fleet unique operational assets. It can operate from any air capable ship as well as confined landing based areas. The U.S. Navy expects this system to perform a variety of roles including the ability to conduct detailed area surveillance and reconnaissance, and battle damage assessments. It can also identify targets relay communications, conduct chemical or nuclear monitoring and observe naval gunfire support.
Doron Rotem, General Manager of Tamam, said that "to date, Tamam has supplied more than 1000 payloads, for fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and UAVs, both for the Israel Defense Forces and for foreign armies. Tamam is a major supplier of payloads to the IDF".
Tamam sales for 1999 reached $95 million compared to $83 million in 1998. Tamam's management estimates those sales figures for the year 2000 will reach $112 million.
For more information, contact:
Doron Suslik
Deputy Corp VP for Communications
Tel: 972 (3) 93 5-8509
Fax: 972 (3) 935-8512
Email: hpaz@hdq.iai.co.il
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