Login
iscover
The US Air Force has awarded Northrop Grumman a US$110 million ($166.4 million) contract for the production of FMU-167/B, also known as the Hard Target Void Sensing Fuze.
To continue reading the rest of this article, please log in.
Create free account to get unlimited news articles and more!
The Hard Target Void Sensing Fuze is an all-electronic, cockpit programmable, intelligent fuse capable of destroying deeply buried targets. It provides multiple delay arming and detonation times, as well as a void-sensing capability, which allows for precision activation of the fuse.
Pat Nolan, vice president of missile products at Northrop Grumman, said, “Northrop Grumman’s Hard Target Void Sensing Fuze takes the guesswork out of understanding the timing required to reach the target.
Northrop Grumman noted that the FMU-167/B fuse continuously demonstrated improved survivability, reliability and accuracy of detonation in penetrating weapons during testing.
“We continue to make investments in sophisticated fuses to help ensure US warfighters and our allies are equipped with the best tools to complete their missions,” Nolan added.
The FMU-167/B has been designed to drive a bomb through metres of concrete and rock while counting voids that are indicative of a deeply buried underground complex.
The FMU-167/B counts these voids and can detonate at a preprogrammed location within the structure, defeating the high-value assets of the adversaries.
Additionally, the HTVSF features advanced sensors, robust algorithms and hardened electronics technology that provide improved performance ability to the combatant against tactical targets.
The HTVSF features advanced sensors, robust algorithms and hardened electronics technology that provide the combatant with enhanced performance ability against tactical targets.
It also offers a void sensing function and time-delay arming, while it can delay detonation of 2,000-pound and 5,000-pound air-delivered penetrating weapons used by the US Department of Defense (DoD).
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.
