US Army Awards Contract To Raytheon For Excalibur Production

Excalibur (pictured) is an artillery projectile that uses satellite guidance to provide precision accuracy at extended ranges for all current and future 155 mm howitzers.

by Staff Writers
Tucson AZ (SPX) Jun 22, 2006
The U.S. Army awarded Raytheon Company a $42.7 million contract for fiscal year 2006 production of tactical Excalibur projectiles and related test articles and services. Excalibur - a cooperative effort between Raytheon Missile Systems and BAE Systems Bofors of Sweden - is an artillery projectile that uses satellite guidance to provide precision accuracy at extended ranges for all current and future 155 mm howitzers.

Raytheon will provide Excalibur projectiles, testing, manufacturing tooling, test and inspection equipment, projectile shipping and storage containers and training support necessary to sustain early fielding (EF).

Initial early fielding is to be provided by the fiscal year 2005 production contract. The fiscal year 2006 contract will provide 335 tactical Excalibur rounds in addition to other services and test articles.

"The U.S. Army is anxious to get this capability to the warfighter; this award is essential to sustain the anticipated EF program," said Col. John Tanzi, the Army's TRADOC (U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command) system manager for Cannons, Fort Sill, Okla.

This contract follows months of testing during which Excalibur demonstrated an accuracy of 4.5 meters (about 14.8 feet) in 12 successful guided flights. The tests successfully demonstrated the three fuzing modes (delay, height-of-burst, and point detonate) and warhead lethality.

Lethality has been proven against wheeled and tracked lightly armored military systems, simulated personnel targets and a steel reinforced concrete structure. Against the concrete structure, Excalibur successfully penetrated the roof, detonating inside the structure and causing impressive damage to the simulated target array.

Raytheon Missile Systems is the leading developer of guided projectiles, including Excalibur and the Navy's Extended-Range Guided Munition (ERGM). These projectiles will provide U.S. forces with precision munitions capability that is required on the battlefield.

Both systems will provide enhanced lethality and accuracy, while minimizing collateral damage in the complex urban environment.

Excalibur and ERGM leverage many common components and supplier partnerships and apply industry best practices to produce two low-cost and reliable weapon systems that will meet or exceed all customer-defined requirements.

Related Links
Raytheon

MILTECH

Mid-Infrared Lasers Confuse Heat-Seeking Missiles

Sylmar CA (SPX) Jun 21, 2006
Quintessence Photonics has announced that it has won a US Government Contract to develop and deliver high-power Mid-Infrared Lasers. The Phase III award is a follow on to previous development activity funded by the US Army which culminates in the delivery of semiconductor lasers which emit light in the Mid-Infrared wavelength regime.

SUPERPOWERS Stop The World Iraq Mission Sets Precedent For Japan To Play Greater Global Role Putin Has An Asian Vision For Growth And Cooperation Chinese Military Delegation Departs For US War Games	NUKEWARS North Korea Must Keep Promise Not To Test Missile Says Bush North Korean Missile Would Pull Japan Closer To US Weapons Experts Warn US Lawmakers On Indian Nuclear Deal World Powers Join US In Seeking Prompt Iran Answer
MISSILE NEWS Patriot GEM Has Second Test Flight Success Successful Meteor Missile Firings With Gripen Completed Aerojet Awarded Contract To Develop New Technologies For Future ICBM Systems Raytheon To Upgrade Patriot Missile Facility Test Equipment	MISSILE DEFENSE US To Conduct Missile Defense Test Off Hawaii US Missile Defenses Likely Activated For North Korean Test Patriot Missile Destroys Drone For Second Straight Hit Boost Phase Blues Impact Missile Shield Developments
AEROSPACE Globemaster Airdrops Falcon Small Launch Vehicle Terma Selected To Manufacture Key Components Of F-35 JSF Giant NASA Balloon Lifts Of From Esrange Space Center CENTAF Releases Airpower Summary	UAV NEWS Raytheon Wins Contract On ISIS UAV Project Police Launch Eye-In-The-Sky Technology Above Los Angeles Greece Orders Two Additional Sperwer UAV Systems From Sagem Defense Laboratory Tests Fuel Efficient Flying-Wing Aircraft
IRAQ WARS US Officers Say Rejected Amnesty Has Merit A Better Week For US Forces In Iraq Deteriorating Realities In Iraq Securing Baghdad Will Take Legions To Garrison	MILTECH US Army Awards Contract To Raytheon For Excalibur Production Exercise Highlights Raptor Synergy, Joint Capabilities Precision-Guided Munitions Play Key Role Heavyweight 'Cougars' Protect Marines in Iraq

The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2006 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA PortalReports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additionalcopyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement