South African arms maker Denel will not immediately benefit from a new United States Army contract to test its ammunition, the company said on Tuesday.
Spokesperson Sam Basch said the US military has extended an existing contract with its US partner General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (GDOTS) to manufacture 105mm and 155mm artillery projectiles for testing.
The US Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command at Picatinny Arsenal has awarded GDOTS an additional $5,1-million (about R31,6-million) to supply projectiles for the army’s advanced conventional artillery ammunition programme.
The artillery projectiles are of a South African design and are currently undergoing safety assessments at Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona.
GDOTS said in a statement three-quarters of the work will be performed in South Africa and the rest in St Petersburg in Florida, with its completion date set for August next year.
The Americans are testing the ammunition as it gives their artillery a longer range than current US stocks.
Should the ammunition pass the safety tests and be adjudged to meet the requirements of the US Army and Marine Corps, it will be purchased in bulk by the military from GDOTS, where it will be made under license.
Basch said a number of Denel personnel are assisting in the testing.
Denel and General Dynamics are currently also teamed to develop a revolutionary, lightweight, long-range 105mm gun-howitzer, which can fire further and has projectiles more lethal than any artillery systems currently fielded by the US military. — Sapa