BAE SYSTEMS' Precision Mortar Seeker Survives Gun-Level Shock Test.NASHUA, N.H. -- BAE Systems BAE Systems British manufacturer of aircraft, missiles, avionics, naval vessels, and other aerospace and defense products. BAE Systems was formed (1999) from the merger of British Aerospace (BAe) with Marconi Electronic Systems. has successfully completed initial 120mm mortar weapon-level launch shock tests of its semi-active laser seeker for the U.S. Army's XM395 Precision Guided Mortar Munition The XM395 Precision Guided Mortar Munition (PGMM) was a 120 mm laser-guided mortar round under development by Alliant Techsystems.[2] Design The mortar round has no moving parts and maneuvers itself to the target by means of embedded thruster motors. (PGMM PGMM Precision Guided Mortar Munitions ) cartridge. The seeker met all test objectives and maintained accuracy during an evaluation at Alliant Techsystems' (ATK ATK - Andrew Toolkit ) rail gun test facility in Elk River, Minn. The milestone success opens the way to the program's next phase -- guided flight demonstrations scheduled for this spring. "This successful rail gun test is a key stepping-out point for the PGMM program," said Dave Rathe rathe adj. Archaic Appearing or ripening early in the year, as flowers or fruit. [Middle English, quick, from Old English hræd, hræth.] , ATK program manager for PGMM. "The team is pleased with BAE Systems' accomplishments to date, and we continue to be impressed by the capability of the semi-active laser seeker. The ATK-led team is confident in our readiness to start the first phase of the PGMM flight test program." BAE Systems is partnered with ATK on the PGMM program, an advanced weapon system that offers soldiers a precise, multipurpose mul·ti·pur·pose adj. Designed or used for several purposes: a multipurpose room; multipurpose software. multipurpose Adjective indirect fire capability. The nose-mounted seeker is one of several components in the PGMM cartridge. The ATK-led program is currently in system design and development, with production expected to begin in late 2008. "This was an extremely stressful test on the hardware," said Kim Cadorette, BAE Systems' PGMM program manager. "The seeker passed the test without degradation. We are continuing with production and look forward to the upcoming seeker and mortar-round guided flight tests." The semi-active laser seeker uses BAE Systems' Distributed Aperture Semi-Active Laser Seeker technology, which has exceptionally high sensitivity coupled with accurate angle accuracy over a large field of view. ATK and the U.S. Army have planned extensive testing to ensure that the first PGMM production rounds will be ready for delivery by 2010. About BAE Systems BAE Systems is the premier transatlantic defense and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information technology solutions and customer support services support services Psychology Non-health care-related ancillary services–eg, transportation, financial aid, support groups, homemaker services, respite services, and other services . With more than 100,000 employees worldwide, BAE Systems' sales exceeded $28 billion in 2005. |
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