$85.3M Order As Excalibur Production Accelerated

Excalibur 155mm(click to view full) “CENTCOM Looks to Boost ISR Capabilities in 2008-2009” discussed the implications of improved surveillance capabilities, especially when combined with the ability to target precision artillery fires and provide fast surveillance/strike systems. USA Today recently reported that an urgent request from commanders in Iraq for more accurate artillery to reduce civilian deaths prompted the Army to speed production of Raytheon’s Excalibur GPS-guided 155mm artillery shells. On June 2/08 DefenseLINK announced an $85.3 million firm-fixed price contract for 155mm Excalibur block 1A-1 and 1A-2 projectiles, and a Sept 5/08 release from Raytheon revealed that it included shells for for the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps and the Australian Defence Forces – which had requested Excalibur shells in April 2008. Work will be performed in locations across the United States and Sweden, and is expected to be completed by Jan 31/10. One bid was solicited on March 16/07 by the Joint Munitions and Lethality life Cycle Management Command at Picatinny Arsenal, NJ (W15QKN-07-C-0100).