US Army awards $232 Million XM 1111 Mid-Range Munition development contract

Written on January 2, 2008 – 9:03 pm | by Frontier India Strategic and Defence |

Raytheon Company with General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, has been selected by the U.S. Army to develop the XM 1111 Mid-Range Munition for the Future Combat Systems’ Mounted Combat System. Valued at $232.3 million, the 63-month contract covers system design
and development.

Mid-Range Munition incorporates proven technology using a dual-mode seeker suite comprising an imaging infrared sensor and a digital semi-active laser seeker. The dual-mode seeker was developed and successfully demonstrated during a two-year, Army-managed science and
technology program.

In its proposal, Raytheon chose a multipurpose chemical energy warhead for the Mid-Range Munition. “For the beyond-line-of-sight mission, we believe that the chemical energy warhead, with proven lethality against the primary target of threat armor, is the best solution,” said Rodger Elkins, director of advanced tactical weapons for Raytheon’s Advanced Programs product line. “It provides better effects against the secondary targets of buildings, fortifications and light armor than a less versatile kinetic energy penetrator.”

Raytheon’s aggressive cost control initiatives provide the Army with a proven, low-risk, affordable product as it enters into the system design and development phase. Such innovative cost solutions are easily transferable to Raytheon’s other precision-guided projectiles, such as the company’s highly successful, combat-proven Excalibur 155 mm artillery projectile.

During the past 50 years, Raytheon has delivered more than 1.3 million precision-guided munitions, and General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems has been involved with the development and production of more than 3 million 120 mm tank cartridges. This vast development and production experience, coupled with the expertise gained in the development,
production and fielding of Excalibur, ensures the Army will receive the world’s best array of gun- fired, precision-guided weapons.

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