US Army orders M781E1 training cartridges
General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (GD-OTS) has received a $17 million contract from the US Army for production of the 40mm M781E1 Low Velocity Day/Night/Thermal training cartridge, the company announced on 3 October.
This award is the first option of the company's engineering, manufacturing and development contract for low rate initial production.
The 40mm M781E1 provides training capability for the army's M203 and M320 low-velocity grenade launchers. The M781E1 signature material, upon impact, provides a signature that is easily visible, day or night, with the naked eye and thermal and night vision weapon sights providing a realistic simulation of a tactical scenario. The cartridge also provides safety during training as it does not contain a fuze or explosives.
Steve Torma, VP and general manager for munition systems, GD-OTS, said: ‘This cartridge is the next evolution in 40mm grenade launcher training. Its unique signature and expanded training capability prepares the warfighter for combat by allowing them to train in a realistic battlefield environment.
‘This capture in the 40mm low velocity grenade munitions market represents our continued investment and commitment to expand our customer base and develop the best solutions for their requirements.’
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
![MyDefence delivers counter-drone system to US Army ahead of livefire exercise]()
MyDefence delivers counter-drone system to US Army ahead of livefire exercise
The Soldier-Kit system consists of detector, jammer, tablet and wideband antenna and is being evaluated as part of Project Flytrap 3.0 counter uncrewed aerial system (CUAS) exercise.
-
![Arquus and Milrem push their UGVs fitted with long-range missiles]()
Arquus and Milrem push their UGVs fitted with long-range missiles
Arquus displayed the Drailer uncrewed ground vehicle (UGV) integrating the Akeron LP long-range missile at the Techterre technology demonstrator event ahead of trials in September.
-
![Contract moves new Abrams tank forward in the face of cuts]()
Contract moves new Abrams tank forward in the face of cuts
Several US Army vehicle programmes were axed by US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s plans to transform the US Army, as outlined in the Letter to the Force: Army Transformation Initiative document. However, the new generation Abrams M1E3 main battle tank (MBT) was singled out for survival. But what will it look like?
-
![Malaysia signs for two additional GM400α air surveillance radars]()
Malaysia signs for two additional GM400α air surveillance radars
The order is in addition to two systems ordered in 2023. It forms part of a family of systems which is becoming widely used and part of a growing demand for the capability, both in deliveries and requirements.
