AM General Awarded Army Contract

SOUTH BEND - The U.S. Department of Defense has awarded South Bend-based AM General a contract with the U.S. Army. While financial terms of the contract were not disclosed, the company says it will provide two mobile howitzer systems for Humvees used by the Army.

AM General and its partner Illinois-based Mandus Group say they have been integrating the soft recoil technology onto light, mobile, transportable, and survivable platforms. The company says soft recoil 'enables reduction in overall system weight, making systems more agile and responsive to benefit the supported maneuver commander.'

'AM General's integration of Soft Recoil technology onto mobile platforms demonstrates our commitment to the innovation required to make future combat vehicles lighter, more survivable, and more lethal,' said Regis Luther, AM General's chief technology officer. 'We are honored to support the U.S. Army's efforts to test and prove mobile howitzer systems.'

AM General says SRT is a 'disruptive technology' that reduces the firing loads for direct and indirect weapons systems, enabling combat systems to meet emerging requirements. The technology is ready now and can be deployed on existing weapons platforms for an immediate effect on the battlefield.

The HUMVEE 2-CT, which is a two-door cargo truck, serves as the mobile platform. While the Army conducts characterization testing of the 2-CT Hawkeye MHS over the next year, AM General and Mandus Group say they will continue to refine the technology for integration of the soft recoil technology onto other mobile platforms. The group is also exploring integration onto other existing and future combat systems.