SMArt® 155 Munition Repeats 100-Percent Reliability in Firing Tests by ATK Partner GIWS
Sep 25, 2001
ATK (Alliant Techsystems)(NYSE: ATK) said GIWS, Nuremberg, Germany, ATK's industry partner on the SMArt® 155 sensor-fuzed munition system program, again achieved 100-percent reliability in a series of gun-fired tests conducted recently for the German government -- repeating the outstanding results of similar tests held in April.
Of the 14 SMArt 155 submunitions delivered over the target array during the lot acceptance tests held earlier this month, the system achieved seven target hits, seven near misses, and 100-percent reliability during adverse weather conditions that included high winds, low ceilings, and heavy precipitation. The tests, which were held at government-owned proving grounds in Meppen, Germany, were part of the SMArt 155 production program for the German Army. GIWS is under contract to produce 9,000 SMArt 155 projectiles over the next several years.
"The successful lot acceptance test conducted this month demonstrates again the superior performance of the SMArt 155 system against any other 155mm smart artillery projectile," said Michael McCann, president, ATK Ammunition Systems Company, Arden Hills, Minn. "We are very pleased with the results achieved by our partner GIWS in these critical tests."
In November 2000, ATK and GIWS entered into an exclusive agreement under which ATK will manufacture and offer for sale in the U.S. the SMArt 155 system. The agreement calls for GIWS to transfer the technology for SMArt 155 to ATK Ammunition Systems Company, which will be the prime contractor for the manufacture of the projectiles, submunitions, and other components, and will market the product in the U.S.
In full-rate production for the German Army by GIWS since 1998, SMArt 155 is an advanced "fire and forget" smart projectile for use in all 155mm artillery systems that employs a millimeter wave radar, radiometer, and an infrared sensor to defeat artillery and armored targets in all weather and environmental conditions.
ATK Ammunition Systems Company is a leading supplier of training and tactical tank ammunition and medium-caliber ammunition, and millimeter wave and laser radar sensors for smart weapons.
GIWS (Gesellschaft fur Intelligente Wirksysteme mbH) is a joint venture company owned by Diehl Munitions Systeme, Nuremberg, Germany, and Rheinmetall DeTec AG, Ratingen, Germany, and is involved in the design, development, and production of smart munition systems.
ATK is a $1.6 billion aerospace and defense company with leading positions in propulsion, composite structures, munitions, and precision capabilities. The company, which is headquartered in Edina, Minn., employs approximately 9,600 people and has two business segments: Aerospace and Defense. ATK news and information can be found on the Internet at http://www.atk.com/
SOURCE: Alliant Techsystems
Contact: Media, Rod Bitz, +1-952-351-3063, rod_bitz@atk.com, or
Investors, Steve Wold, +1-952-351-3056, steve_wold@atk.com, both of Alliant Techsystems
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