Imperial Machine & Tool Co. is proud to be a tier 1 supplier to BAE systems for the M777A2 program. We have been actively involved with the M777 program since first gun pilot production, and we're excited to commence production in the coming year.
The full article detailing the initiative is attached below:
M777 being fired.
U.S. Military to supply Indian Government with 145 M777A2 Howitzers
The U.S. Department of Defense and the Indian Ministry of Defence signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA)on Nov. 30 for a $737 million Foreign Military Sales (FMS) case for the U.S. military to provide the Indian government 145 M777A2 howitzers, as well as engineering support.
The U.S. Army and Marine Corps' M777 howitzer program is managed by the Joint Project Manager Towed Artillery Systems, part of the Program Executive Office Ammunition located at Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey.
"We're looking forward to what we believe is the beginning of a great, and potentially long-term, relationship with the Indian government and their Army," said Jim Shields, the Program Executive Officer Ammunition.
"While many of the contract details are still being negotiated, PEO Ammunition will continue to work closely with the Indian government to ensure smooth execution of the case," Shields said.
India joins Australia and Canada as the third U.S. ally to purchase M777A2 howitzers.
Besides being reliable and battle-proven, the M777A2 howitzer is lightweight, which allows it be easily airlifted by helicopter in hilly terrain, such as the Himalayas in India. It was the world's first howitzer to weigh less than 10,000 lbs, a weight reduction achieved through innovative use of titanium and aluminum alloys.
An M777 in the Imperial Machine & Tool Co. parking lot! We hosted an open house and the U.S. Army was gracious enough to bring an M777 to display for our guests.
CONTRACT DETAILS
"The Indian government requested the howitzers be manufactured by the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) supply chain used during US production of the M777A2 where BAE Systems was the prime contractor," said Joe Lipinski, PM-TAS lead for International Acquisition Programs.
PEO Ammunition anticipates the contract with BAE Systems to be signed by the end of the year.
PM-TAS will also manage 10 additional contracts for the Government Furnished Equipment required for the howitzer. The largest of these being the cannon assembly which will be manufactured at U.S. Army Watervliet Arsenal, New York.
In addition to providing the howitzers, PEO Ammunition and BAE Systems will provide technical manuals, training programs and engineering support to develop firing tables so the Indian Army can fire their own ammunition.
The contract also covers five years of spare parts.
Lipinski said that PEO Ammunition plans to provide two guns to India within six months to support firing tables development for the Indian ammunition.
Gun and spare parts deliveries are scheduled to begin in 21 months. PEO Ammunition will also begin training the Indian Army on the howitzers in 21 months.
"The U.S. fleet of howitzers is now in sustainment, so this LOA provides additional funding to support PM-TAS in maintaining the knowledgeable workforce developed within the PM and ARDEC during US production. We also benefit from lower costs of spare parts," said Chris Hatch, Deputy PM TAS. "Now that the howitzer will be back in production, instead of making one or two spare parts when the U.S. needs them, we will have an active production line making the 145 howiters and spares. As long as the production line is going, the U.S. military and taxpayers reap the benefits of lower costs."
Originally from an article in the Pocono Record.
