PICATINNY ARSENAL, N.J.—The Project Manager for Maneuver Ammunition Systems (PM MAS)’s Medium Caliber Product Office, within the Joint Program Executive Office Armaments and Ammunition, awarded a $78.5 million firm fixed price production contract to Northrop Grumman Defense Systems (NGDS) on Sept. 26, for the new 30x173mm XM1182 High Explosive Airburst with Tracer (HEAB-T) round.
Designed to be fired from the XM813 weapon system, the XM1182 HEAB-T will significantly enhance the anti-personnel lethality of the Stryker Infantry Carrier Vehicle- 30mm (ICVVA1-30mm).
“This is a premier round that will provide our infantry Soldiers with capability similar to a 120mm multi-purpose high-explosive round, offering not only increased standoff in a Stryker but also greater lethality,” said Kaitlyn Tani, Deputy Product Manager for Medium Caliber Ammunition and the original project officer for the program.
The XM1182 program achieved Milestone B in March 2020, despite the global COVID-19 pandemic, and maintained an aggressive development schedule, achieving Milestone C in 2023. Tani highlighted the team’s dedication to adhering to the original timeline.
“It was an aggressive schedule that wasn’t without it’s challenges,” said Tani, reflecting on the 3.5-year development process. “I’m proud of the work the government and industry accomplished in getting a successful development program into the hands of our warfighters.”
According to Lt. Col. Saleem Khan, Product Manager Medium Caliber Ammunition, the ICVVA1-30mm will integrate the 30mm Medium Caliber Weapon System (MCWS) which will allow warfighters to engage targets from distances with great precision and lethality.
“The 30x173mm XM1182 HEAB-T is part of a broader effort by the U.S. Army to upgrade its mechanized units with advanced technology and munitions,” said Khan. “This new programmable airburst capability is expected to increase effectiveness against enemy forces in the open, in defilade, and inside urban structures.”
Khan states the contract with NGDS ensures production of this munition will bolster the lethality and operational effectiveness of U.S. Army Stryker Brigade Combat Teams. He noted that the XM1183’s airburst capability enables it to detonate above targets, maximizing its effectiveness against personnel while minimizing collateral damage, and the programmability also allows it to maintain legacy capability against ground platforms.
“This new technology enables the cartridge to adapt to the mission, expanding its target set,” said Khan. “This cartridge is setting the trend for the future of medium caliber airburst capability.”
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