Awarded by the U.S. Marine Corps Systems Command (MARCORSYSCOM) for development of the Expeditionary Fire Support System (EFSS), the contract has an initial value of $18 million and a potential value of approximately $300 million if initial production and fielding options are exercised.
When fielded, the EFSS will provide the Marine Expeditionary Force with quick-response, highly lethal, indirect fire support.
The EFSS supplies accurate and immediately responsive short-range indirect fire coverage at ranges of 7 to 20 kilometers, supporting both of the Marine Corps' fighting doctrines, the Ship-to-Objective Maneuver and the Operational Maneuver From the Sea.
The Marine Corps envisions the EFSS as the third "leg" of an Indirect Fires triad. The other two legs are the long-range High-Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), with a firing range exceeding 45 kilometers; and the Joint Lightweight Howitzer M777, providing medium range coverage between 10 and 30 kilometers.
Michael S. Wilson, president of General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, said, "We are very pleased to be selected by the Marine Corps for their EFSS solution and look forward to producing and fielding the entire EFSS system of vehicles, weapons, munitions, fire control and logistics support in full compliance with the MARCORSYSCOM program schedule."
General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems will be the EFSS systems integrator and will coordinate production and deliveries of the overall system from its EFSS partners.
These partners include TDA Armaments SAS, a joint venture company of Thales and the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS), for their RT 120 Rifled Mortar System; and American Growler of Ocala, Florida for all EFSS vehicles.
Other General Dynamics teammates include General Dynamics Canada of Ottawa, for the EFSS ballistic fire control computers; and Tec-Masters Inc. of Huntsville, Ala., for integrated and contractor logistics support.
The General Dynamics EFSS solution is comprised of a prime mover vehicle, the RT 120 rifled towed mortar, an ammunition supply vehicle and an ammunition trailer.
The prime mover tows the RT 120 rifled mortar, which is capable of firing a full family of 120mm rifled mortar rounds and all US smoothbore 120mm mortar ammunition to the range and deflections inherent in those projectiles.
The ammunition trailer, which is towed by the ammunition supply vehicle, holds up to 36 mortar rounds in factory-recyclable steel containers.