The United States Naval Air Systems Command has chosen a Meggitt Defense Systems ammunition handling system for the Cobra AH-1W/Z attack helicopter.

Initial deliveries of 32 ammunition feed and 27 reloading systems will begin in Q4, 2010. In total, Meggitt expects to supply as many as 230 feed systems as part of US and international Cobra fleet modernisation and upgrade programmes.

The design of the ammunition feed system and supporting ammunition loader is based on Meggitt’s medium calibre ‘Linear Linkless’ technology, which delivers unprecedented reliability and maximal storage efficiency.

Volumetric efficiency is achieved by substituting conventional bullet links with linkless ammunition flowing in a tight serpentine pattern and by merging ammunition streams from multiple storage bays at very high speed. The new Cobra system feeds the M197 20 mm rotary cannon mounted in the universal turret system at 750 rounds per minute.

The low maintenance requirements of linear linkless systems cost less to run than conventional link-fed ammunition feeds. Similar systems developed and fielded by Meggitt have achieved reliability records exceeding 100,000 mean rounds between failure in the field.

ENDS

For further information, please contact

Meggitt PLC
Andy Mann, Investor Relations
Tel: 01202 597597

Fiona Greig, Corporate Communications
Tel:  01202 597587

Editors’ notes

1. Meggitt Defense Systems Inc, a subsidiary of Meggitt PLC, specialises in the design, development and production of ammunition handling systems, radar and digital processing systems and environmental control systems. These products are used by virtually all US military training ranges and many of the world’s leading military platforms including the Abrams main battle tank, the Stryker Mobile Gun System, the F-16 Falcon, the F/A-18 Hornet, the AC-130 Spectre Gunship, the AH-64D Apache Attack Helicopter and many others.
2. Meggitt PLC is an international group headquartered in the United Kingdom, operating in North America, Europe, and Asia. Known for its specialised extreme environment engineering, Meggitt is a world leader in the aerospace equipment, sensing systems, combat support and defence systems.