GDOTS wins $107 projectile parts contract

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Sept. 7 (UPI) -- U.S. firm General Dynamics said last week it has won a new contract to make M107 projectile metal parts.

"The U.S. Army Sustainment Command at Rock Island, Ill., has awarded General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems $24.2 million for the first year of a multi-year contract for the production of M107 projectile metal parts. The contract has a total potential value of $189 million," General Dynamics said in a statement. General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems functions as a business unit of General Dynamics.

"The M107 is a low-cost, 155mm High Explosive artillery projectile that is used in war and in training. The rounds are fired from the Paladin, M-198 and the M-777 howitzers and are utilized by the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps," General Dynamics said.

"This award reaffirms our long and noteworthy performance in providing high-quality artillery and mortar projectiles for the Armed Services,” said James Flaherty, vice president and general manager of General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems Scranton Operations.

"Work on the contract will be performed at the company’s Scranton, Pennsylvania, facility and will be completed in October, 2008," the company said.

General Dynamics said its Ordnance and Tactical Systems unit was "a world leader in the manufacture of large, medium- and small-caliber direct and indirect-fire munitions, mortar weapons and systems, artillery projectiles, bomb bodies and Ball Powder Propellant. The company also manufactures precision metal components; provides explosive load, assemble and pack services for a variety of munitions, tactical missile and rocket programs; and designs and produces shaped charge warheads and control actuator systems."

General Dynamics is based in Falls Church, Va. The company has a global staff of around 82,900 and projects 2007 revenues of more than $27 billion in this financial year. General Dynamics describes itself as "a market leader in business aviation; land and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and information systems and technologies."