TUCSON, Ariz., -- Raytheon Company successfully completed a gun firing test of its low-cost, XM1156 Precision Guidance Kit (PGK) solution at Picatinny Arsenal, N.J., March 16.

The test firing, shot from the Picatinny Ballistic Rail Gun System, met all test objectives.

PGK is a competitive U.S. Army program designed to demonstrate the ability to significantly improve the accuracy of existing ballistic and cargo 155 and 105 mm artillery rounds through the addition of a low-cost, GPS guided fuze kit, which integrates into the round's shallow fuze well without modification. The Raytheon PGK was also designed to meet Army program requirements through a low-cost airbrake solution having minimal impact on round stability. Raytheon's solution focuses on meeting the PGK requirements at the lowest cost with the capability for incremental growth.

"The Spearhead 1D course correcting fuze (CCF) demonstration was a significant milestone for the team," said Ken Pedersen, Raytheon Missile Systems' Advanced Programs vice president. "A low-cost, networked, 1D CCF solution would provide the Army with improved 155/105 mm round accuracy, reduced collateral damage, and lower ammunition sustainment and replenishment costs."

Raytheon's Missile Systems business in Tucson, Ariz., will serve as prime systems integrator, airframe designer, and guidance and control authority, utilizing L3 KDI Precision Products, Inc., to produce the all-up "smart fuze" kit at its automated fuze factory in Cincinnati, Ohio. KDI's proven experience with manufacturing more than 215,000 MOFA (Multi-Option Fuze for Artillery) fuzes for the U.S. Army will help ensure a low production cost for PGK. The Spearhead flight tests will culminate in closed loop, GPS-guided, fully integrated round testing through April 2006 at "tactically significant" ranges.

Raytheon Co.
31.03.2006