07 Oct 03. Raytheon gave details of its Multi-function Starring Sensor Suite (MFS3) demonstrator which it has delivered to the U.S. Army Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate (NVESD). The system provides a leap in technology which will integrate into FCS as a spiral upgrade to Increment 2. FS3 is the Army’s third-generation infrared testbed to prove the feasibility of detecting and identifying obscured targets. Raytheon has installed the U.S. Army Battlefield Identification Device (BTID) into this system which automatically interrogates the potential target as part of the surveillance programme.
06 Oct 03. During AUSA Stewart & Stevenson showed BATTLESPACE its new T11-ton 6×6 Medium Tactical Truck Demonstrator (MTTD), a demonstration platform incorporating advanced technology, such as cab and vehicle sub-systems for increased crew protection, improved C-130 interoperability, advanced electric cooling system, independently suspended wheels and active suspension. The MTTD is an evolving collaborative effort between the National Automotive Center (NAC), Stewart & Stevenson, and several automotive suppliers.
23 Sep 03. General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD – News), has been awarded a $23.5m order from the U.S. Army’s TACOM/ARDEC Picatinny Arsenal for the production of 80 enhanced-capability reactive armor vehicle sets for the Bradley Fighting Vehicle. Work will be completed by January 2005.
09 Oct 03. Alvis Hägglunds has received an order worth approximately £40m for 112 Bv206S all-terrain vehicles from the Italian Army. The vehicles will be delivered between 2004 and 2007. The order represents the first phase of a programme currently planned to total 189 vehicles. Discussions continue on the additional phases.
30 Sep 03. General Dynamics (NYSE: GD – News) plans to acquire Steyr Daimler Puch Spezialfahrzeug Aktiengesellschaft & Company KG (Steyr Spezialfahrzeug) and its parent company, SSF-Holding GmbH, of Austria, on October 2, 2003. General Dynamics had previously acquired 25 percent of the parent company, in 1999.
The acquisition will be immediately accretive to General Dynamics’ earnings, and General Dynamics anticipates that Steyr Spezialfahrzeug will generate approximately $230 million in sales in 2003. The company has a backlog of approximately $300 million.Steyr Spezialfahrzeug, which has approximately 400 employees, will become part of General Dynamics’ Combat Systems group. There are no plans to relocate any production activity from present locations as a result of the acquisition.