General Dynamics Awarded Contract for Long-Range Artillery Ammunition for the Objective Force
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), has been awarded a sole-source contract initially valued at $1.5 million for the engineering evaluation of 105mm and 155mm artillery projectiles by the Program Manager for Combat Ammunition Systems (PM CAS) and U.S. Army TACOM–ARDEC at Picatinny Arsenal, N.J.
Through this contract, General Dynamics will conduct safety assessment testing of 105mm and 155mm Insensitive Munition (IM) High Explosive (HE) and Bi-spectral Smoke projectiles. This is the first part of two phases of testing that are required prior to Army type classification. These projectiles are part of a PM CAS modernization initiative called the Advanced Cannon Artillery Ammunition Program (ACA2P). The U.S. Marine Corps has also expressed interest in the HE projectile.
General Dynamics and Denel, of South Africa, have teamed to provide the U.S. Army and Marine Corps with artillery solutions that have enhanced range, lethality and performance over existing artillery. The 105mm and 155mm ACA2P ammunition suites designed by Denel comprise a family of non-developmental conventional projectiles with enhanced capabilities such as novel Pre-Formed Fragmentation (PFF), IM-filled warheads, field inter-changeable basebleed units, cool burning smoke canisters, and improved aerodynamics for longer range.
The ACA2P ammunition suites will be used for Objective Force Indirect Fire Systems, and provide a low-risk approach to achieving the requirements for the Future Combat Systems-Cannon (FCS-C). The ACA2P suites are also backward-compatible to support Stryker Brigades and current howitzer systems.
When fired from a 39-caliber (barrel-length) system, the ACA2P ammunition can achieve full-spectrum effects at ranges of 30 kilometers, surpassing currently fielded artillery ammunition.
“With ACA2P, the U.S. Army can replace aging and depleted artillery ammunition stockpiles without incurring high R&D costs,” said David W. Pride, director–advanced artillery for General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems. “The ACA2P suites’ full-spectrum effects and capabilities are matched to the Army’s transformation objectives.”
One of the most significant features of the ACA2P suite of ammunition is its ballistic similitude. Each projectile in the suite is matched in weight and profile, so that each variant travels along the same ballistic trajectory. Subsequently, the entire suite of ammunition requires only one ballistic firing table, eliminating multiple firing tables, reducing firing times and allowing illumination and smoke effects at the same ranges as the HE projectile. This capability does not exist today.
Other features of the ACA2P suite include bi-spectral smoke canisters that do not cause fires, self-destruct fuzing to eliminate unexploded ordnance hazards (UXO), and a reduced logistics burden through the use of interchangeable boat-tails and base-bleeds units. The Insensitive Munition High Explosive (HE) projectile uses an explosive that provides greater safety to the soldier in the field by reducing projectile vulnerability to most battlefield threats.
General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems manufactures large- and medium-caliber ammunition and precision metal components; provides explosive load, assemble and pack services for a variety of tactical missile and rocket programs; and designs and produces shaped charge warheads and control actuator systems. General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, employs approximately 57,000 people worldwide and anticipates 2003 revenues of $15 billion. The company has leading market positions in mission-critical information systems and technologies, land and amphibious combat systems, shipbuilding and marine systems, and business aviation.
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Any "forward-looking statements" contained in this press release are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
General Dynamics Corporation (ticker: GD, exchange: NYSE)
News Release - Thursday, July 3, 2003
Press Contact: (727) 578-8144
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