US Army places major artillery fuze order
A USMC artillery crew operates an M777 during an exercise in Latvia in 2019. (Photo: USMC/Sgt Andy Martinez)
The US Army has placed an order worth more than $533 million for the M782 Multi-Option Artillery Fuze.
Northrop Grumman has received a $533.86 million deal from the US Army to provide its M782 Multi-Option Artillery Fuze (MOFA), the DoD announced in a 27 July contract notice.
Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of 26 July 2027, the DoD added.
MOFA is used on fragmentation (high-explosive loaded) and burster-type 105mm cartridges, plus 155mm projectiles.
According to DoD documents in the public domain, the M782 MOFA is compatible with all current 155mm bursting-type artillery projectiles. It can be fired from the M198 155mm medium towed howitzer and is compatible with the M777 lightweight towed howitzer.
MOFA can operate in one of four modes: proximity, electronic time, point detonating or delay.
The DoD identified MOFA as a single replacement for five different fuzes in the USMC inventory, to reduce the logistical footprint and ammunition-handling requirements.
M777 operator Australia requested the M782 as part of an FMS package for 155mm ammunition and accessories that was approved by the US State Department in December 2020.
More from Land Warfare
-
![Refresh of Romanian army vehicles speeds up]()
Refresh of Romanian army vehicles speeds up
Romania received its first Cobra MkII 4×4 light tactical armoured vehicles, ordered Abrams main battle tanks (MBTs) and VAMTAC light vehicles, and is set to invest billions-of-dollars in infantry fighting vehicles.
-
![Italy begins hunt for Puma replacement]()
Italy begins hunt for Puma replacement
The Italian Army operates Pumas in 6×6 and 4×4 configurations but the platforms are ageing and numbers have fallen with obsolescence also being an issue. Any replacement is likely to have a focus on the involvement of local industry.
-
![Orders roll in for VAMTAC tactical vehicles as first is delivered to New Zealand]()
Orders roll in for VAMTAC tactical vehicles as first is delivered to New Zealand
The VAMTAC (Vehículo de Alta Movilidad Táctico or High Mobility Tactical Vehicle) 4×4 by Urovesa is in service with or has been ordered by eight countries, the most recent being Spain this month and Romania last month.
