BELLEVUE, Wash., September 27--Esterline Technologies (NYSE/ESL http://www.esterline.com) today announced that it has been awarded a $3 million contract by the U.S. Army to produce combustible cases for new generation 155mm artillery rounds. The amount is in addition to an $11.7 million contract awarded in May. Manufacture of the cases is being carried out at the company’s Armtec Defense Products subsidiary in Coachella, Calif., and is expected to be completed by June 2001. (Combustible cases act as rigid propellant containers, and also ignite when fired, improving ammunition performance.)

 

Robert W. Cremin, Esterline CEO, said, “...this add-on to the initial production order for the Army’s Modular Artillery Charge System (MACS) represents what we believe is the Army’s long-term commitment to this project.” Cremin explained that MACS is required for the Army’s new extended range advanced field artillery system ‘Crusader,’ and is intended as the ultimate replacement charge for all other 155mm artillery systems currently fielded or under development.

 

Esterline is a leading specialty manufacturer of highly engineered products serving aerospace/defense and electronics markets. Armtec is part of the company’s Advanced Materials group.