KARLSKOGA, Sweden, Dec. 16 (UPI) -- Britain's Ministry of Defense has awarded BAE Systems an $8.6 million contract for production of infrared artillery illumination shells.
Series production of the 105mm infrared artillery shell Luma IR starts immediately, the company said, and the 4,000 rounds will be delivered during 2010 and 2011.
Final assembly will be at BAE Systems' Weapons business facilities in Karlskoga, Sweden.
The company expects there will be future orders for the rounds, which can be fired from the 105mm Light Gun in service with British forces in Afghanistan.
BAE said the order is separate from long-term partnering contract for the supply of munitions signed between BAE Systems' U.K. Munitions business and the Ministry of Defense in 2008. However, a 155mm carrier round is being developed under this agreement and the Luma IR payload could form part of that family.
