ATK Partner GIWS Achieves 100-Percent Reliability In Tests of Extended Footprint SMArt® 155 Munition
Precision-Guided Projectile is Part of ATK's Newly Formed Precision Systems Group
May 9, 2002
ATK (Alliant Techsystems, NYSE: ATK) said GIWS, Nuremberg, Germany, ATK's industry partner on the SMArt® 155 sensor-fuzed munition system program, successfully completed the first lot-acceptance test of its Product Improvement (PI) SMArt 155 munition, which incorporates an increased footprint scan that more than doubles the target search area.
Of the 15 SMArt 155 PI submunitions delivered over the target array during the test conducted April 23 by the German government, the system achieved seven hits, eight near misses, and 100-percent reliability -- marking the successful completion of the first PI production lot and clearing the way for delivery of the improved munition into service with the German Army.
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. It 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.
GIWS has delivered more than 3,000 SMArt projectiles to the German artillery forces under a contract that calls for total production of 9,000 projectiles over the next several years.
Under an exclusive agreement signed by the two companies in 2000, GIWS will transfer the technology for SMArt 155 to ATK, 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. The program is one of a number of precision-guided munition systems organized in ATK's newly formed Precision Systems Group.
"This most recent test success showcases again the superior performance of the SMArt 155 system over any other 155mm smart artillery projectile," said Charles Farnham, director of business development. "The entry of the product-improved munition into service with the German Army is a significant milestone that cements the system's leading position as the only 155mm smart artillery projectile currently in full production -- as well as the first extended footprint munition to move into production."
"We believe the SMArt 155 PI 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 Mark Conrad, precision munitions director. "It is the only true tri-mode sensor 155mm smart munition in either development or production anywhere in the world. This gives it a level of effectiveness and performance that far exceeds other less capable, or single mode, sensor systems that employ IR only based sensor suites."
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 $2 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 11,600 people and has three business groups: Aerospace, Precision Systems, and Ammunition. 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; Investor:
Steve Wold, +1-952-351-3056, steve_wold@atk.com, both of Alliant Techsystems
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