The US Army has awarded a contract to L-3 Fuzing & Ordnance Systems to produce and deliver army mortar fuses.
Under the $98.5m contract, the L-3 Communications subsidiary will provide the US Army with M734A1 and M783 fuses, as well as inert and cutaway versions.
The M734A1 fuse, which is a proximity fuse based on frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) directional doppler ranging (DDR) techniques, has electronic countermeasure hardening.
The M734A1, which delivers a consistent height of burst performance over terrain with various reflection coefficients, can be used on all 60mm, 80mm, and 120mm high-explosive mortar cartridges and the 120mm white phosphorous smoke cartridge.
The dual safe point detonating and delay M783 fuse is intended for tactical training and can be used during tactical operations as well.
The M783, based on the M734A1 fuse for commonality of components, can also be used on all 60mm, 81mm, and 120mm high-explosive cartridges and the 60mm white phosphorous smoke cartridge.
The company will carry out the work, expected to complete by mid-September next year, in Cincinnati, Ohio.
