Nearing the end of an operational evaluation phase, the US Navy has signalled its intention to award a full-rate production contract for BAE Systems' Lethal Broach penetrator warhead.
Navy plans call for the purchase of 173 Lethal Broach warheads in Lot 1 production during fiscal year 2005, marking the first phase in a projected order for around 3,000 units.
The Broach system will be incorporated into the navy's Raytheon-built AGM-154C Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW-C) unitary warhead-equipped missiles.
A five-month-long operation is expected to wrap up early next month, possibly leading to a contract award for full-rate production during December.
Source: Flight International