General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems has received a multi-year contract from Smith & Wesson to manufacture and supply hammer forged, military-grade gun barrels for the latter's M&P pistol, General Dynamics announced on 2 March.
Smith & Wesson is offering its M&P pistol for the US Army’s XM17 modular handgun system (MHS) competition. The two companies announced their partnership in 2014 to pursue the army's MHS solicitation, with the aim of replacing the current Beretta M9 with the Smith & Wesson M&P polymer pistol platform as the army's standard sidearm.
James Debney, president and chief executive officer, Smith & Wesson, said: ‘A key initiative within our strategic plan has been the continual development of our flexible manufacturing model through added component outsourcing. That approach has served us well by providing a solid and highly adaptable manufacturing platform for growth.
‘Our contract with General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems represents an enhancement of that initiative and demonstrates the evolution of our partnership. Together, we believe we are well positioned to compete for the army's XM17 MHS programme, for which we recently submitted our proposal.’
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