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NIOA has announced the first delivery of Assegai 155mm munitions, destined for use in the Army's M777A2 howitzers, just eight months after the contract was executed in December 2017.
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After a successful bid to supply the advanced Assegai 155mm munitions under the LAND 17 Phase 1C.2 Future Artillery Ammunition project, NIOA continues to achieve project milestones and deliver on schedule.
NIOA partnered with Toll Logistics-Mining/Toll Global Forwarding to overcome significant logistical challenges to deliver the munitions into Australia, and in so doing has set a new benchmark for munitions logistics in the region.
NIOA’s close partnership with Rheinmetall Denel Munitions (RDM), Nitrochemie and JUNGHANS Defence enabled an expedited manufacturing schedule to be implemented for the various components of the munitions which include, HE, training and illum rounds, modular propellant charges, primers and high performance fuses.
Further deliveries of pre-formed fragmentation (PFF), insensitive HE and smoke natures are planned for 2019 in readiness for the commencement of the ADF’s qualification program.
The advanced 155mm munitions will supplement the ADF’s existing ammunition stock, while providing a significant increase in capability with increased range, lethality and first-round-on-target accuracy.
The contract includes a program to fully qualify the Assegai munitions family in the BAE Systems M777A2 Lightweight Towed Howitzer, including integration into the Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS) fire-support command and control system. Once completed, this will be followed by the supply of high performance war stock.
The M777 is the latest artillery piece to be employed by the Australian Army. The M777 replaces the L119 105mm light gun and the M198 155mm medium gun in Royal Australian Artillery units.
The M777 can link with Australian and coalition networks providing accurate and timely responses as required to support ground forces in all weather conditions, day or night. The M777 provides direct support to combat troops through offensive and defensive fires with conventional and precision-guided projectiles. It can also employ illuminating and smoke projectiles.
The M777 will be towed behind the Mack gun tractor and the Mack replacement procured under Project LAND 121. It can also be lifted by the Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter and carried in the Air Force C-17A Globemaster III and C-130J Hercules aircraft. M777 is deployable by Navy watercraft and amphibious vessels.
NIOA is a 100 per cent Australian prime contractor specialising in the provision and support of weapon systems and integrated soldier systems, focusing on close combat, special operations, direct fire, in-direct fire, target recognition/identification, suppression and neutralisation, training and force protection.
NIOA supplies and supports a wide array of small arms, medium calibre and large calibre munitions, special function grenades and pyrotechnics, and leading-edge pistol systems, small arms, sighting systems and carriage solutions.
NIOA maintain and exercise reach-back arrangements with engineering and technical support partners to provide specialised design, analysis and test services for the weapons systems we supply and support. NIOA facilities are unique in Australia and provide specialised services and products to Defence and law enforcement agencies across Australia and New Zealand.
Stephen Kuper
Steve has an extensive career across government, defence industry and advocacy, having previously worked for cabinet ministers at both Federal and State levels.
