GENERAL DYNAMICS TEAMS WITH DENEL FOR ARTILLERY SOLUTIONS

08 Oct 03. General Dynamics Land Systems has signed a teaming agreement with Denel of South Africa to jointly customize and market more lethal, long-range and lightweight 105-mm artillery systems for domestic and international customers.

Denel is the world leader in the development of long-range artillery systems. General Dynamics Land Systems is the defense industry’s largest system developer, integrator and manufacturer of ground combat armored military vehicles. The company designs and builds armored vehicles and systems worldwide.

“This is a very strong and natural match,” said James Vickrey, director, Artillery Programs, for General Dynamics Land Systems. “We have been working with Denel since 2002. This agreement formalizes our efforts and capitalizes on the world-class capabilities of both companies for our customers.”

General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (St. Petersburg, Fla.) also has teamed with Denel, to provide the U.S. Army and Marine Corps with artillery ammunition solutions that have enhanced range, lethality and performance over existing artillery.

Comment: A number of firms at the AUSA show were toting 105mm solutions. Always a favourite solution for light artillery and MBT’s, the 105mm caliber is now finding new applications particularly in the FCS system. This is due to new propellant developments. This announcement comes at a time when BATTLESPACE believes that the BAE SYSTEMS multi-million pound Carrier Shell requirement for AS90 has hit the buffers due to technical problems. BAE were due to deliver the system last year, with support from QinetiQ, but we believe that the present solution is not acceptable and the contract may be reopened or cancelled as the AS90 is about to be upgunned. We are awaiting clarification from BAE.