General Dynamics wins US Army MACS contract

General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products was awarded an $8.6 million contract option by the US Army for the load, assemble and pack of the M231 and M232A1 Modular Artillery Charge System (MACS). General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products is a business unit of General Dynamics.

The option modifies an existing contract awarded in December 2008. The MACS provides propelling charges with combustible cartridge cases for 155mm artillery. The charges are compatible with new and existing howitzer systems and offer enhanced precision with a reduction in weight and volume.

Production work will be performed at General Dynamics' facility in Camden, Ark., which has approximately 300 employees. Program support will occur at the company's Williston, Vt., facility, which has a workforce of approximately 400 employees. Work will be completed by September 2013.

"MACS offers maximum flexibility in tactical logistics to US warfighters," said Steve Elgin, vice president and general manager of armament systems for General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products. "The build-a-charge system eliminates the need to dispose of unused cartridges, and the charge system fires cleanly, without leaving residue in the cannon breech."

Source: General Dynamics