Raytheon to make advanced artillery system

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FORT WAYNE, Ind., July 26 (UPI) -- Raytheon has been selected by the U.S. Army to develop and produce an enhanced Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System.

The Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System will integrate and use information from a variety of sources to plan, coordinate and control battlefield elements, including mortars, close air support, naval gunfire, attack helicopters, offensive electronic warfare, field artillery cannons, rockets and guided missiles.

"Our system brings the network to the battlefield and to front-line personnel, providing them with complete and accurate information about their environment," said Kim Kerry, vice president of C4I Systems for Raytheon's Network Centric Systems business.

"Soldiers in the line of fire will be able to select the right weapons for the right targets at the right time."

Raytheon said the enhanced Version 6.8X of AFATDS will improve user interface and also boost the system's speed and capabilities.

The contract from the Army is for two years, with a 1-year option, and is worth $18 million.