SMArt® 155 Munition Repeats 100-Percent Reliability in Firing Tests by ATK Partner GIWS
Dec 20, 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 by the German government -- repeating the outstanding results of similar tests held in April, September, and November of this year.
Of the 14 SMArt 155 submunitions delivered over the target array during the most recent lot-acceptance tests held earlier this month, the system achieved eight target hits, six near misses, and 100-percent submunition reliability. 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 has delivered more than 2,500 SMArt projectiles to the German artillery forces under a contract that calls for total production of 9,000 projectiles over the next several years.
"The successful lot-acceptance test conducted this month showcases again the superior performance of the SMArt 155 system over any other 155mm smart artillery projectile," said Mark Conrad, precision munitions director, ATK Ammunition Systems Company, Arden Hills, Minn. "We are extremely 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 and manufacture 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. SMArt 155 is the only gun-fired multi-sensor smart munition system currently in production in the world and is demonstrating reliability levels unmatched by any gun-fired system in either development or pre-production.
"We believe the SMArt 155 and the SMArt submunition are the best and most affordable systems available to meet the U.S. Army's requirement for gun-fired smart munitions," said Charles Farnham, director, business development, ATK Ammunition Systems Company.
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 $1.7 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 11,400 people and has two business groups: 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 for Alliant Techsystems
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