General Dynamics awarded $25m by US Army to produce MK47 weapon systems
General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products has been awarded a $24.9 million contract by the US Army to produce MK47 advanced lightweight grenade launcher (ALGL) systems. The contract supports a foreign military sale and is a firm fixed price award for 130 MK47 systems that each include the lightweight video sight systems, spare parts and technical support. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in January 2012 and be completed by August 2012. General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products is a business unit of General Dynamics.
The TACOM Contracting Center (TCC) in Rock Island, Ill., awarded the contract in July. Program management will be conducted in Burlington, Vt., with production occurring at General Dynamics’ Saco, Maine, facility. Work will be completed by the company’s existing workforce.
“The MK47 is a reliable, portable 40mm grenade weapon system suited for mobile, tactical combat infantry units, particularly against soft and lightly-armored targets,” said Mike O’Brien, vice president and general manager of gun systems for General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products. “The MK47 has been demonstrated in combat to be a one-shot, one-kill weapon system.”
The MK47, also known as the STRIKER(40), is an ALGL capable of firing air bursting munitions. General Dynamics is partnered with Raytheon to build the lightweight video system fire control, which assists in the detection, recognition and first-round engagement of target threats.
Source: General Dynamics
More from Land Warfare
-
![What does the proliferation of larger platforms mean for the UGV market?]()
What does the proliferation of larger platforms mean for the UGV market?
A surge in heavier, combat-focused uncrewed ground vehicles is emerging, although operational demand remains uncertain.
-
![Fenris 6x6 emerges as first joint vehicle from John Cockerill-Arquus partnership]()
Fenris 6x6 emerges as first joint vehicle from John Cockerill-Arquus partnership
The new 6x6 wheeled fire support vehicle is armed with a 105mm NATO-standard high-pressure rifled gun, positioning it for the French Army and wider potential allied requirements.
-
![Do heavy IFV designs make sense on the modern battlefield?]()
Do heavy IFV designs make sense on the modern battlefield?
Even with additional armour, many current-generation infantry fighting vehicles are highly vulnerable to enemy fire in the contemporary operating environment. Are heavier platforms based on tank designs for use in this role the answer?
-
![Uncrewed ground vehicles put to the test as NATO eyes autonomous shift]()
Uncrewed ground vehicles put to the test as NATO eyes autonomous shift
The European Land Robot Trials are influenced by NATO researchers seeking to create uncrewed ground vehicle standards for allied Western forces working in multinational task forces.
