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BAE SYSTEMS Mongoose Minefield Breacher Successful In Major Flight Test

15 Jul 2003

AUSTIN, Texas -- BAE Systems’ Mongoose countermine system recently underwent a key contractor test in the highly successful Flight Test 3 (FT3) at a U.S. Army test site. The next-generation minefield breaching system is under development for the U.S. Army by BAE Systems Integrated Defence Solutions, Austin, Texas, and will field with the Army Stryker Brigade Combat Teams beginning in late 2006.

The flight test is part of a series of four to demonstrate the system’s design. Success in the flight test phase of the program will lead to Army qualification and operational testing, currently scheduled for winter 2004.

The Mongoose system uses an innovative shaped-charge approach to minefield neutralisation that significantly improves current minefield breaching and mine neutralisation capability.

"These tests prove our basic design and constitute a major milestone to deploy Mongoose,” said Mongoose Test Engineer Debbie Cornell. “One contractor flight test remains, scheduled for late summer 2003, before BAE Systems begins system production for Government qualification and operational testing."

The Mongoose is a rocket-deployed array of shaped charges that are launched across a minefield. It then detonates the mines to provide a high-confidence cleared lane for vehicle and personnel traffic. Mongoose is being executed for the U.S. Army Project Manager, Close Combat Systems, under a $60 million contract.

About BAE SYSTEMS

BAE Systems is an international company engaged in the development, delivery and support of advanced defence and aerospace systems in the air, on land, at sea and in space. The company designs, manufactures and supports military aircraft, surface ships, submarines, radar, avionics, communications, electronics and guided weapon systems. It is a pioneer in technology with a heritage stretching back hundreds of years. It is at the forefront of innovation, working to develop the next generation of intelligent defence systems.

BAE Systems has major operations across five continents and customers in some 130 countries. The company has 100,000 people and generates annual sales of approximately 12 billion through its wholly-owned and joint venture operations.

BAE Systems, innovating for a safer world.

BAE Systems North America is a high-technology U.S. company employing more than 25,000 people who live and work in some 30 states, the District of Columbia, and the United Kingdom. The company is dedicated to solving its customers’ needs with highly innovative and leading edge solutions across the defence electronics, systems, information technology, and services arenas.

BAE Systems Integrated Defence Solutions, headquartered in Austin, Texas, employs more than 900 people at two major facilities in the United States. Integrated Defence Solutions creatively adapts and integrates technologies to rapidly produce solutions for the homeland security and defence markets. Products include chemical and biological agent detectors and systems, mine countermeasure systems, aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul, aircraft modification and assembly, airborne target presentations, aircraft countermeasures dispenser systems and expendable countermeasures, intelligent combat systems, and mission equipment upgrades.