BAE SYSTEMS Fires First Round from 38-Caliber NLOS-Cannon.

MINNEAPOLIS -- BAE Systems has successfully fired the first round from its Non-Line-of-Sight Cannon (NLOS-C) Concept Technology Demonstrator (CTD) using a Zone 4, 38-caliber cannon tube at Yuma Proving Ground, Ariz. NLOS-C is the lead manned ground vehicle system under the US Army's Future Combat Systems program.

The lighter-weight 38-caliber length tube replaces the CTD's 39-caliber length tube which fired more than 1,193 rounds on the NLOS-C CTD system since August 2003. The successful integration and firing of the 38-caliber tube - in less than one month - demonstrates BAE Systems has successfully reached the next step in the development path toward fielding NLOS-C Increment 0 prototypes in 2008.

"The integration of the 38-caliber cannon onto this system continues to prove that BAE Systems is a world-class armament system developer," said Jim Unterseher, Director of Army Programs for BAE Systems at Minneapolis. "As this technology continues to mature, it is yet another indication that a new artillery weapons system will be in the hands of soldiers very quickly."

BAE Systems is an international company engaged in the development, delivery, and support of advanced defense and aerospace systems in the air, on land, at sea, and in space. The company designs, manufactures, and supports military aircraft, combat vehicles, surface ships, submarines, radar, avionics, communications, electronics, and guided weapon systems.