JOHNSON CITY, N.Y., 21 Jan. 2008.BAE Systems will develop an interim all-quadrant defensive weapon system for the CV-22 Osprey aircraft.
The contract awarded by the U.S. Special Operations Command, calls for rapid development, installation, testing, and qualification of a weapon capability that provides defensive fire protection to all quadrants of the aircraft.
The belly-mounted system is remotely operated and capable of delivering accurate, sustained fire throughout the CV-22's flight envelope. The contract is valued at $491,000, with a potential value of $16.3 million, including options.
The weapon system is based on BAE Systems' Remote Guardian System, a company-funded effort to develop a common airborne defensive capability. BAE Systems has been investing in the RGS for more than two years and unveiled the system in October 2007 at the Modern Day Marine military exposition in Quantico, Virginia.
