BAE Systems Awarded Navy Contract for Electromagnetic Railgun – PRESS RELEASE
Filed under: BAE Systems, Business Line, Companies, Contract Awards, Events, Services, U.S. Navy, development program
MINNEAPOLIS–BAE Systems has been awarded a $21 million contract from the Office of Naval Research (ONR) to develop an advanced Electromagnetic (EM) Railgun for the U.S. Navy. The 30-month contract is for the detailed design and delivery of an Innovative Naval Prototype (INP) Railgun.
“This EM Railgun contract is a continuation of BAE Systems’ dedication to delivering advanced technology for tomorrow’s Sailors,” said Jim Schoppenhorst, vice president of Navy Programs for BAE Systems.
Under this contract, BAE Systems will develop advanced Railgun technologies including a composite launcher (barrel) that will be demonstrated in 2011. BAE Systems is partnered with IAP Research, and SAIC to develop the Railgun.
ONR’s INP program is part of the Department of the Navy’s Science and Technology investments focused on developing new technologies to support Navy and Marine Corps warfighting needs. Railguns use electrical energy instead of chemical energy to launch projectiles at hypervelocities that can provide range in excess of 200 nautical miles. One of the greatest potential advantages for the Railgun program is the safety and logistics aspect because it uses no explosives in firing or storage.
In addition to the INP program, BAE Systems developed a Laboratory Launcher for the Navy in 2007. This Laboratory Railgun continues to set world-record launch energies at the Naval Surface Warfare Center test facility in Dahlgren, Virginia.
ONR INP contract work will be performed in Minneapolis and in Dayton, Ohio.
About BAE Systems
BAE Systems is the premier global defense and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information technology solutions and customer support services. With approximately 100,000 employees worldwide, BAE Systems’ sales exceeded £15.7 billion (US $31.4 billion) in 2007.
Contact
Ryan May, +1 763-572-6675
Mobile: +1 612-597-0957
ryan.may@baesystems.com
Wearable power competition proceeds
Filed under: DARPA, Department of Defense, development program, logistics
The US Department of Defense said that 20 teams have qualified for the Wearable Power competition that will be carried out over the next four days. The $1 M prize will be awarded to the team that best meets the requirements of providing 20 watts of power per hour for 96 hours and weighs less then 4 kilograms. The twenty teams were chosen after a review of their concepts for safety and to see if they could be attached to a standard vest. DoD is trying to develop an alternative to all the AA batteries soldiers are forced to carry to work their advanced electronics.
See the press release at DefenseLink.mil.



