Defense Systems |
Leveraging core competencies
to strengthen leadership in
conventional and advanced
ammunition systems and
achieve growth in the
integration of smart short-
and long-range tactical
weapons and munitions
systems. Conventional and Advanced Ammunition Systems Our strategy: Build on capabilities in energetics, warheads, sensors, and systems integration to strengthen our leadership in conventional and advanced ammunition systems. Our long-standing commitment to quality, process control, and low cost was a key factor in major ammunition production contract wins in fiscal year 1996, including the large share of the U.S. Army's option for tank ammunition training rounds, and large-share medium caliber awards representing approximately 70 percent of the total rounds procured during the year. We are positioned for growth in programs to enhance the effectiveness of conventional ammunition, such as an improved kinetic energy tank ammunition round, case telescoped ammunition, and upgraded ammunition for the Bradley Fighting Vehicle. Building on our ammunition design and production experience, we are working as the systems integrator on competitive development of the U.S. Army's Objective Individual Combat Weapon, which will replace the M-16 rifle and M-203 grenade launcher. Our international team comprises the leading companies in the design and manufacture of individual weapons, munitions, and fire control systems. | We are a market leader in 120mm tank ammunition and are evolving our core products into smart systems. We also hold leading positions in medium caliber ammunition fired from Army infantry fighting vehicles and helicopters, Air Force and Marine tactical aircraft, and Navy deck guns.
We are leading an experienced international team in the competitive development of the U.S. Army's Objective Individual Combat Weapon, which will provide increased survivability for the 21st century soldier. |
Smart Tactical Weapons and
Munitions Systems Our strategy: Leverage core competencies in energetics, warheads, sensors, fuzes, control electronics, inertial and GPS guidance and control, and systems integration to provide low-cost, high-quality smart tactical weapons systems and munitions systems. Our capture of the Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle program is a clear example of how we are successfully combining our systems integration experience with an outstanding subcontractor team to provide affordable, smart tactical systems. In addition to military sales, commercial and international markets offer opportunities for sales of our TUAV system. We are leveraging our capabilities in air-delivered weapons systems integration and assembly to pursue production of the U.S. Air Force's Wind Corrected Munitions Dispenser (WCMD). Our team, which includes Texas Instruments, is made up of leaders in the development and production of dispensers, guidance and electronics systems, and mission planning systems. WCMD is an inertially guided tail kit that will greatly improve the accuracy of air-delivered weapons by minimizing the effects of wind, launch variables, and ballistic errors. Defense Systems is teamed with McDonnell Douglas to pursue the development contract for the U.S. Navy's Extended Range Guided Munition, which uses a global positioning system and an inertial navigation system for increased ship-to-shore accuracy. We also are under a competitive development contract to supply an advanced seeker to Northrop-Grumman for the Brilliant Anti-Tank (BAT) munition. The Sense and Destroy Armor (SADARM) program entered production in fiscal year 1996. Defense Systems is teamed with Aerojet on SADARM, the Army's first smart artillery munition, which uses sensors to detect self-propelled vehicles and fire an explosively formed penetrator through the target's top. The system performed exceptionally well in recent test firings against actual self-propelled targets. There is significant potential for sales of SADARM to allied nations.We also are evolving our core tank ammunition products into smart systems such as the Smart Target Activated Fire and Forget (STAFF) round and the Tactical Extended Range Munition-Kinetic Energy round. | As the prime contractor and systems integrator, we are leading a team that will develop the Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (TUAV) under an initial $53 million contract. TUAV will provide rapid reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition information to Navy, Marine, and Army combat commanders.
Above: Left to right, Dan Cheeseman, Alliant WCMD Program Director, Mike Nelson, U.S. Air Force WCMD Program Manager, and Jim Polozeck, Texas Instruments WCMD Program Manager. WCMD is an inertially guided tail kit that will greatly improve the accuracy of air-delivered weapons. A streamlined acquisition process and integrated government/industry product teams have reduced WCMD development time and cost, enabling us to complete our initial guided flight test just one year after the start of the program. The test vehicle was developed under a rapid prototype process that cut time and cost through system simulation and computer-aided design and fabrication. "To complete such a flight in just 12 months from contract award is a real tribute to what can be done using the principles of acquisition reform and government/industry teamwork." (Following the first guided flight test of Alliant's Wind Corrected Munitions Dispenser.) Lt. Col. Gregory C. Muntzner,
Blake Larson, left, Alliant SADARM Program Director, and Ron Abbott, Aerojet Vice President, SADARM Product Sector. Alliant and Aerojet are teamed on this 155mm howitzer-fired smart munition, which entered production in fiscal year 1996. | |