ARMY SOURCE SELECTION ANNOUNCEMENT FOR EFOG-M

The Army announced today the selection of Raytheon Company, Missile Systems Division, Bedford, Massachusetts, as the prime contractor for the Enhanced Fiber Optic Guided Missile (EFOG-M) Demonstration Program. The contract award is being withheld pending completion of Department of Defense reviews relating to fiscal year 1996 Army program funding. The dollar value of the contract will be announced at the time of the contract award.

The EFOG-M will have precision anti-armor, anti-helicopter kill capability in day, night, or adverse weather conditions at ranges up to 15 kilometers. The anti-armor feature is emphasized in this program. A unique feature of EFOG-M makes it possible to fire from a position out of sight of the target, and to kill a target beyond the direct line of sight of the gunner. The gunner "sees" the target through a seeker mounted in the missile which transmits real-time images through a fiber optic cable link between the missile and the Heavy High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (Heavy HMMWV)-mounted fire unit.

EFOG-M is a part of the Department of Defense Rapid Force Projection Initiative (RFPI) Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration (ACTD) which seeks to provide light, highly lethal and survivable technologies to an early entry force with available airlift. The RFPI ACTD will integrate forward sensors ("hunters") and non-line-of-sight weapons ("killers") through real-time command, control and communications. EFOG-M will demonstrate a precision stand-off killer capability for the RFPI ACTD.

For further information, contact Major Mike McKinney, Army Public Affairs, (703)697-4314 or 697-7487.