TRW Wins Howitzer Support Contract

TRW Inc. announced May 29 that it won a five-year contract, with a potential value up to $50 million, to provide electronic systems technical services for the U.S. Army's Paladin howitzer and its ammunition vehicle. The award, by the Army's Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command, follows TRW's integration of its battlefield digitization system into the howitzer cannon last December.

TRW's services will include engineering trade studies, design, testing, production and electronic upgrades for approximately 1,900 Paladin howitzers and ammunition vehicles.

The Paladin project increases the Cleveland company's ability to support the U.S. Army as a systems integrator of electronic systems on the digitized battlefield, said George Petteys, vice president and deputy general manager of TRW Tactical Systems.

Work on the contract will be performed at TRW's facility in Carson, Calif. As prime contractor, TRW will be responsible for system engineering and integration of hardware and software electronic systems in the howitzer and its field artillery ammunition supply vehicle.

TRW's primary teammate is Arlington, Va., United Defense LP, manufacturer of the vehicles. United Defense will be responsible for vehicle integration and fielding as well as system engineering support.