BAE SYSTEMS Readies M777E1 Howitzer for Technical Test.Business Editors WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 6, 2003 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. M777E1 Howitzers, complete with integrated Digital Fire Control System, are in final preparation for joint U.S. Army - U.S. Marine Corps technical evaluation. This critical stage in validating the M777E1 technical performance is seen as the next significant step forward to the Howitzer's production. During September 2003, M777E1 Howitzers were sent for simultaneous testing at Yuma Proving Grounds, Ariz., for safety trials; White Sands Missile Range White Sands Missile Range (WSMR), formerly known as the White Sands Proving Grounds, is a rocket range in New Mexico operated by the United States Army. The range covers an area of almost 3,200 mi² (8 287 km²), approximately three times the size of Rhode Island, making it , N.M., for electromagnetic interference/compatibility trials; and the Joint Program Management Office Lightweight 155, Picatinny Arsenal, N.J.; for formal software qualification testing. In addition, a four-month performance evaluation Performance evaluation The assessment of a manager's results, which involves, first, determining whether the money manager added value by outperforming the established benchmark (performance measurement) and, second, determining how the money manager achieved the calculated return will be conducted in the Arctic during winter 2004, and an extensive firing, mobility and navigation test will be performed during July 2004. The Digital Fire Control System provides a range of enhanced capabilities -- position navigation and location, gun pointing, information display, and digital integration with the AFATDS AFATDS Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (US Army) AFATDS Army Field Artillery Tactical Data System (US Army) AFATDS Air Force Airborne Tactical Data System (USAF) artillery fire control system. This enables the M777E1 to provide joint-networked fires for the Army and Marine Corps. Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP LRIP Low Rate Initial Production LRIP Limited Rate Initial Production LRIP Logistics Readiness Improvement Program ) of the Howitzer howitzer: see artillery. is underway in Hattiesburg, Miss., for the Marine Corps. A multi-service operational test and evaluation (testing) operational test and evaluation - (OT&E) Formal testing conducted prior to deployment to evaluate the operational effectiveness and suitability of the system with respect to its mission. (MOT&E) will be conducted with LRIP M777E1 Howitzers starting in August 2004. The MOT&E will be a key requirement for full-rate production, scheduled to begin in 2005. About BAE SYSTEMS: 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, surface ships, submarines, radar, avionics, communications, electronics, and guided weapon systems. It is a pioneer in technology with a heritage stretching back hundreds of years. It is at the forefront of innovation, working to develop the next generation of intelligent defense systems. BAE SYSTEMS has major operations across five continents and customers in some 130 countries. The company employs more than 90,000 people and generates annual sales of approximately $19 billion through its wholly owned and joint-venture operations. BAE SYSTEMS RO Defense supplies integrated weapon systems worldwide. The company specializes in providing firepower solutions from the fire platform to explosive munitions mu·ni·tion n. War materiel, especially weapons and ammunition. Often used in the plural. tr.v. mu·ni·tioned, mu·ni·tion·ing, mu·ni·tions To supply with munitions. effects. RO Defense has more than 3,000 employees located in the U.K., U.S., and the Netherlands. The company has been manufacturing weapon systems for more than 400 years and has the ability to provide total weapon systems for armed forces all over the world, supplying its products and services to more than 50 countries. BAE SYSTEMS, innovating for a safer world. |
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