Stark may be considered for howitzer project

The Israel Defense Forces’ Artillery Corps has plans to set out on a modernization program – as state and international companies prepare to post contract offers - to build a next generation of the 50-year-old M109 self-propelled howitzers. If updating plans get approval, potential suppliers will be asked to prepare an autonomously loading 52-caliber cannon, with a 155mm barrel, integrated on a refurbished or new, low-cost chassis. Israeli firms expected to compete: privately-owned Elbit Systems (ES), and the state-run Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Israel Military Industries (IMI). Internationally: America’s Lockheed Martin and Germany’s Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) and Rheinmetall Defense. IAI reports it is basing “specs” on a KMW artillery gun module that is integrated onto a Lockheed Martin-built rocket-launch system chassis. Final assembly of the artillery piece may be built at either ES’ Stark Aerospace facility in Columbus, Miss., or LM’s plant in Dallas. Source: Jewish Business News, Oct. 21, 2013.