Article Posted on : - Dec 16, 2010

The Luma IR is fired from the 105 mm Light Gun. A BAE Photo

KARLSKOGA, SWEDEN (BNS): BAE Systems has won a contract worth £5.5 million ($8.5 million) from the UK Defence Ministry to produce and deliver the 105 mm infra-red artillery shell Luma IR.

Under the contract, BAE will deliver 4000 rounds of the artillery pieces to the British armed forces during 2010 and 2011. Orders for further quantities could follow, the company said.

Luma IR can be fired from the 105mm light gun, currently in service with UK forces in Afghanistan.

The new order is separate from the long-term partnering contract for the supply of munitions signed between BAE Systems’ UK Munitions business and the MoD in August 2008.

However, a 155mm carrier round is being developed under this agreement and the Luma IR payload could form part of that family. The first carrier payloads, which will include white light, smoke, and potentially sensor payloads, will be ready for qualification in early 2012, BAE said.

The artillery will be produced at BAE’s Karlskoga facility in Sweden.