Breeze-Eastern to support Army's HIMARS

UNIONDALE, N.J., March 20 (UPI) -- New Jersey-based Breeze-Eastern Corp. announced it has been contracted to support the U.S. Army's High Mobility Artillery Rocket System.

The $5.2 million contract was awarded by Lockheed Martin Corp. for Breeze-Eastern to supply the rocket pod loading hoists for the Army's HIMARS as part of the Multiple Launch Rocket System program.

Breeze-Eastern, a developer of lifting devices for military and civilian aircraft including weapons-lifting systems among other technologies, will supply the loading hoists for the HIMARS units currently deployed by the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps in regions inaccessible by other heavy launchers.

"Breeze-Eastern has supported the Multiple Launch Rocket System program for over 20 years," Robert White, Breeze-Eastern president and chief executive officer, said in a statement. "We are pleased to receive this HIMARS contract and to continue as a valued member of the Lockheed Martin team supporting the MLRS program so necessary to the mission requirements of the U.S. Army."