SubscribeAtmospheric Measuring System Used To Increase Accuracy of Field Artillery; Range of Key Battlefield Data Extended.
The world’s leading provider of trace detection and x-ray security screening equipment, today announced that it has received approval from the U.S. Army for full-rate production of a next-generation upper atmospheric measuring system that is used to increase the accuracy of field artillery. As part of the approval the Army has placed a production order for the first four systems, which is called the Meteorological Measuring Set-Profiler (MMS-P), with the follow-on potential for up to 75 additional systems.
The MMS-P is a fourth-generation system that gathers a full range of atmospheric data from multiple sources, including satellites, ground sensors and weather balloons. The system assimilates the information and provides a steady stream of updates of meteorological conditions over an extended 500-km battle space. The new MMS-P delivers atmospheric updates three times faster than earlier generation systems and expands the range of field by 200%.
The Company said that the full-rate production order follows completion of an engineering and manufacturing development program and an award for low-rate initial production (LRIP). As part of the initial programs, Smiths Detection has delivered 11 MMS-P systems with an additional six scheduled for delivery before July 1, 2005.
“We are pleased to deliver this next-generation system which significantly improves the military’s ability to create accurate and up-to-date meteorological profiles. This data will be used to enhance the accuracy of artillery and other munitions – particularly first rounds – which will help reduce collateral damage,” said Bob Judd, President, Smiths Detection – Military. “The MMS-P is the first system to deliver a stream of atmospheric data at regular 30-minute intervals over an extended 500-km battle space. It is also the first to integrate the use of a meteorological model that enables the assimilation of data from a variety of sources.”
The MMS-P system is built into a specially equipped HMMWV vehicle and is highly mobile. Smiths Detection has provided more than 100 earlier-generation systems to the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. National Guard.
