$14.3 Million for MK340 Mod 0 KEET Airburst Munition
American Rheinmetall Munitions, Inc., (ARM) has been awarded a $14.3 million contract to prototype a low-cost engagement capability to increase the effectiveness of existing and future USN naval guns against surface and airborne threats.
The resulting prototype will lead to an Initial Operating Capability for the 30x173mm MK 340 MOD 0 Kinetic Energy Electronically Timed (KEET) airburst munition, derived from the NATO-qualified Rheinmetall 30×173 Kinetic Energy Timed Fuze (KETF) cartridge currently fielded by the Australian, German, and Hungarian armed forces. The system will provide significant lethality improvements and a reduction in rounds fired, due to an increased first-round hit probability. “This award further demonstrates American Rheinmetall’s ability to bring innovative technologies into the hands of our US Joint Force,” commented ARM CEO, John Somich.
The company is presently expanding its role as a major supplier of innovative, next-generation weapons and ammunition in the US, drawing on a global portfolio of world-class munitions and armaments offered by Rheinmetall and its affiliates. For example, ARM is currently producing 40mm airburst fuzing for the US Army, and the PGU-48/B Frangible Armor-Piercing cartridge for the US Air Force F-35A. The company has been producing and supplying high-performance practice and direct fire service ammunition for American military and law enforcement customers for several decades.