Navy awards Motorola contract to build Multi-Function Fuze.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 5, 1995--Motorola's Government and Space Technology Group (GSTG) has been awarded an $9 million contract by the United States Navy to develop and build the Multi-Function Fuze (MFF), which will replace several types of fuzes.

"We're impressed with Motorola's commitment to 'Six Sigma' quality and the production flexibility available through the Integra Factory and Systems Productivity Facility assembly line," said Mike Till, U.S. Navy program manager for MFF.

Six Sigma is translated to 3.4 defects per million opportunities during a given process. The GSTG Integra Factory and Systems Productivity Facility compose a production line that has the flexibility to simultaneously handle multiple processes in a given job.

The MFF will replace VT, CVT, MT and PD fuzes for 5"/54 projectiles and VT, CVT and PD fuzes for 76 mm. The fuze will carry four modes -- anti air (AIR), height of burst (HOB), electronic time (ET), point detonating (PD) and a default or autonomous mode.

In the AIR mode, the gun weapon systems provides the MFF with the estimated time of flight and closing velocity of the air target. This information enables the MFF to detonate the projectile at the optimal position with respect to the target.

AIR mode can be used at ranges greater than 1,400 feet. The HOB offers similar capabilities to CVT fuzes, except that it can be set to burst at any height below 65 feet above the surface. In addition, HOB mode can be set to burst anywhere below 65 feet above the surface and can be set to burst below dense canopies, when needed.

The ET mode allows projectiles to be set to detonate precisely after the set of amount of time expires, making it useful against close-in targets, as well as with payload rounds. The PD mode is set to detonate upon impact with a target and is sensitive enough to detonate upon striking 0.080" aluminum and rugged enough to detonate on 2" steel before breaking up.

For 76mm gun weapon systems and 5"/54 GWSs without properly functioning inductive fuze setter, the MFF will operate in the AUT mode that provides support in all mission areas.

The AUT mode acts as a VT fuze for the first segment of flight and a CVT fuze with a programmed height of burst for the remainder of the flight. The VT portion of the flight is highly effective for air targets, just as the CVT segment mode is for surface targets.

All assembly on the three-year contract will be completed in Scottsdale.

Motorola (NYSE:MOT) is one of the world's leading providers of wireless communications, semiconductors, and advanced electronic systems and services. Major equipment businesses include cellular telephone, two-way radio, paging and data communications, personal communications, automotive, defense and space electronics and computers. Communication devices, computers and millions of other consumer products are powered by Motorola semiconductors. Sales in 1994 were $22.2 billion.

CONTACT: Motorola Inc., Scottsdale

Chad Madden, 602/441-2885