OREANDA-NEWS. General Dynamics announced today that it has entered into a strategic agreement with Advanced Material Engineering Pte Ltd (AME), a subsidiary of Singapore Technologies Kinetics Ltd (ST Kinetics), to manufacture 40mm Air Burst Ammunition for the U.S. military.

Uniquely different from conventional ammunition, the 40mm airburst uses a programmable, time-based fuse technology that computes and programs the detonation time into the fuze. Once fired, the fuze counts down to zero detonating at the intended target point. It is highly effective against concealed and defilade targets. The 40mm ammunition can be fired from existing U.S. Army grenade launchers such as the Mk19 and MK47. This ammunition will provide the warfighter with the capability to program ammunition to detonate at a specific distance, greatly increasing the effectiveness, flexibility and lethality of their weapon systems.

"With this partnership, General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems continues to build on its capabilities as a system integrator. By integrating programmable ammunition with innovative products, such as our Next Generation Fire Control System, we can provide the warfighter with versatility and overmatch capability that is fully interoperable with our weapon systems currently in service," said Tim McAuliffe, vice president and general manager of medium caliber ammunition and weapons for General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems. "This expansion of our manufacturing operations ensures we continue to provide our U.S. Army customer with greater value and integrated solutions."

General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems manufactures large-, medium- and small-caliber direct and indirect-fire munitions and is a leader in the development and production of lightweight tactical vehicles, weapons and armament systems. The company designs and produces shaped charge and penetrator warheads and manufactures precision metal components for missiles, rockets and composite structures for the commercial, aerospace and defense markets. The company also produces propellants and non-lethal and force-protection products.

Sew Chee Jhuen, president of ST Kinetics, said, "We are proud to have the opportunity to provide 40mm high velocity Air Burst Ammunition for the U.S. military markets in partnership with General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems. We look forward to bringing our experience in the design and manufacturing of 40mm ammunition and weapons to enrich the partnership."

AME, the ammunition and small arms subsidiary of Singaporean defence firm ST Kinetics, is an established manufacturer of ammunition with many years of experience in the field of ammunition technology. It has successfully developed and fielded a family of 40mm high velocity and low velocity ammunition designed to meet U.S. military specification to complement existing 40mm high velocity automatic grenade launchers and low velocity grenade launchers. AME is one of the leading suppliers of 40mm ammunition in the world with one of the widest range of operational combat, training, specialty payload ammunition to meet the operational needs of many military forces worldwide. AME's 40mm ammunition is currently in service in Europe, Canada, Africa and Asia Pacific.