General Dynamics wins intelligent munitions work

General Dynamics Corp. won a $31.5 million contract from the Army for the technology development phase of the Intelligent Munitions System program, formerly known as Raptor.

The work will be conducted in Bloomington, Minn., and is to be completed by December 2005. The award was made by the Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command, Picatinny Arsenal, N.J., on behalf of the Office of the Program Manager for Close Combat Systems.

IMS is part of the Army's Future Combat System and consists of networked, multifunctional nodes that work together to detect targets and command advanced munitions.

The system enables the maneuver commander to accurately locate and continuously track targets; autonomously process intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance information; and use advanced munitions to engage threats. IMS supports the dynamically changing battlespace through a set of sensors connected by an ad hoc wireless network.

This phase of the program seeks to develop and demonstrate technology to prove key technical and operational issues. General Dynamics' Advanced Information Systems unit will use prototypes, simulations and models to verify both the system hardware and software architecture, requirements, design and performance characteristics.

General Dynamics Spokesman Tim Taylor said that while winning this contract does not guarantee getting the full scope of work on IMS, it is a positive sign for the company's efforts in the Future Combat System arena.

General Dynamics, based in Falls Church, Va., employs approximately 57,000 people worldwide and had 2002 revenue of $13.8 billion.