Feb. 28, 2017 / 10:20 AM

U.S. Army, Marine Corps purchase additional M1156 guidance kits

M1156 precision guidance kits are used to turn 155mm artillery shells into smart munitions. Pictured, a M777A2 howitzer fires a 155 mm round equipped with a M1156 Precision Guidance Kit fuze during a live-fire exercise. Photo by Wendy Brown, Fort Bliss Public Affairs Office

M1156 precision guidance kits are used to turn 155mm artillery shells into smart munitions. Pictured, a M777A2 howitzer fires a 155 mm round equipped with a M1156 Precision Guidance Kit fuze during a live-fire exercise. Photo by Wendy Brown, Fort Bliss Public Affairs Office

Feb. 28 (UPI) -- Orbital ATK received a $69.5 million contract modification for the procurement of 8,001 additional M1156 precision guidance kits.

The order includes deliveries for the U.S. Army and the U.S. Marine Corps. The work will be performed at the company's location in Plymouth, Minn., and is expected to be complete by Jan. 20, 2020.

Orbital received all funding at the time of the contract award. The Army Contracting Command is the contracting activity.

The M1156 precision guidance kit is a device used to convert 155mm artillery shells into smart munitions. Shells equipped with the kit are able to receive GPS guidance for increased accuracy.

In addition to improving accuracy in combat, Orbital ATK says the kits are also ideal for reducing friendly fire and civilian casualties on the battlefield.

Read More

Austin visits Ukraine, voices U.S. support against Russian aggression

Defense News // 3 years ago

Austin visits Ukraine, voices U.S. support against Russian aggression

Oct. 19 (UPI) -- U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Ukraine continues to have U.S. support against Russian aggression and is free to decide its own foreign policy during a visit to Kyiv Tuesday.

Citing Russian occupation, U.S. signs new defense pact with Georgia

Defense News // 3 years ago

Citing Russian occupation, U.S. signs new defense pact with Georgia

Oct. 18 (UPI) -- U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin signed a new security agreement with Georgia Monday, seeking to buttress relations with the Black Sea nation as it continues to face Russian troops in two of its regions.

Pentagon orders all civilian employees to be fully vaccinated by Nov. 22

Defense News // 3 years ago

Pentagon orders all civilian employees to be fully vaccinated by Nov. 22

Oct. 4 (UPI) -- The Pentagon on Monday ordered all Department of Defense civilian employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by no later than Nov. 22.

Army investigating suspected suicides of three Fort Drum soldiers

Defense News // 3 years ago

Army investigating suspected suicides of three Fort Drum soldiers

Sept. 29 (UPI) -- The U.S. Army is investigating the suspected suicides of three soldiers based at New York's Fort Drum.

Four Marines remain hospitalized month after suicide bombing at Afghan airport

Defense News // 3 years ago

Four Marines remain hospitalized month after suicide bombing at Afghan airport

Sept. 24 (UPI) -- Four U.S. Marines remain hospitalized after an attack near Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, last month as service members were evacuating foreign nationals and refugees.

South Korean firm to supply rapid COVID-19 test kits to U.S. military

Defense News // 3 years ago

South Korean firm to supply rapid COVID-19 test kits to U.S. military

SEOUL, Sept. 24 (UPI) -- South Korean biopharmaceutical firm Celltrion has agreed to supply its DiaTrust rapid COVID-19 test kit to the U.S. military.

Army tests MK-22 Precision Sniper Rifle at Fort Bragg ahead of fielding

Defense News // 3 years ago

Army tests MK-22 Precision Sniper Rifle at Fort Bragg ahead of fielding

Sept. 23 (UPI) -- The Army has successfully tested the MK-22 Precision Sniper Rifle to clear it for fielding.

U.S. Navy, Bahrain partner to ramp up unmanned systems use

Defense News // 3 years ago

U.S. Navy, Bahrain partner to ramp up unmanned systems use

Sept. 23 (UPI) -- Bahraini leaders committed Thursday to partnering with a new U.S. Navy task force to ramp up new unmanned system efforts.

U.S. F-16 fighter jets intercept Cessna during U.N. General Assembly

Defense News // 3 years ago

U.S. F-16 fighter jets intercept Cessna during U.N. General Assembly

Sept. 22 (UPI) -- U.S. fighter jets escorted a small plane flown by a U.S. Army soldier out of restricted air space over New York City during the United Nations General Assembly.

U.S. Space Force to take over SATCOM operations from Army, Navy

Defense News // 3 years ago

U.S. Space Force to take over SATCOM operations from Army, Navy

Sept. 22 (UPI) -- The U.S. Space Force will take over satellite communications billets, funding and mission responsibility from the U.S. Army and Navy, the Department of Defense announced Wednesday.