L-3 Fuzing and Ordnance Systems Inc. from Cincinnati has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Army for next-generation mortar fuzes.

The U.S. Department of Defense announced on Friday that L-3 company has received $10,8 million modification to contract W15QKN-17-C-0024 for procurement of M734A1 multi-option fuze.

“Work will be performed in Cincinnati, Ohio, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 31, 2020,” noted in a statement.

The M734A1 fuzes are the U.S. Army’s next-generation, NATO-standard electronic fuzes for mortars and are used to support close range, indirect fire support to infantry units in
combat operations.

The bases M734 multi-option fuze is a rangefinder and collision detection system used on mortar shells as a trigger to detonate the shells at the most damaging heights of burst.

A typical mortar firing procedure is for a squad leader to select a target and call for one of the four fuze settings. A gunner sights the mortar onto the target and an ammunition bearer sets the fuze. An assistant gunner drops the shell into the tube upon a command to fire from the squad leader.

L3 specializes in the development and manufacture of advanced fuzing products, sensors and safety devices. These products are utilized in numerous artillery, mortar, and air-dropped munitions, as well as rockets, missiles, and other advanced weapon systems.

L3 is also a prime contractor in aerospace systems, security and detection systems, and pilot training.
reported 2016 sales of $10.5 billion