RAUFOSS, Norway, 29 Aug. 2008.The U.S. Marine Corps officials have selected the weapon system from Nammo Talley Inc. for its SMAW II program (Shoulder-launched Multipurpose Assault Weapon II). The maximum contract value (base and options) is $51.76 million, and Feb. 2011 is the expected base contract completion date.
Nammo Talley, prime contractor for SMAW II, is partnered with the Raytheon Company for development, qualification, and fielding of the integrated weapon system design chosen during the USMC competitive assessment.
The SMAW II program will provide Marines with an improved performance, next-generation reusable launcher and new Fire From Enclosure (FFE) assault rounds.
"The SMAW II system will provide Marine gunners with better accuracy, lower weight, significant improvement in mission flexibility, and is fully compatible with all existing SMAW ammunition," says Steve Wegener, president of Nammo Talley Inc.
Nammo Talley is based in Mesa, Ariz., and produces SMAW ammunition and M72 LAW systems for the USMC.
SMAW II features an FFE propulsion system, which allows target engagement from inside buildings and combines the anti-structure capability of the current SMAW warheads with a new high-reliability electronic fuze.
The new launcher increases system range and accuracy, improves reliability, and decreases weight by 40 percent compared to the current SMAW launcher.