Thales Australia and Norwegian firm Nammo signed a Letter of Intent at the Eurosatory exhibition last week to cooperate on developing aircraft ammunition.
The agreement will see the two companies develop the cannon round for the F-35 JSF, one that will be “capable of meeting all requirements and ensuring lethality against both soft and hard targets.”
“This cooperation will create a new platform for ammunition business between two industry leaders,” said Kjell Kringsjå, the executive vice president of Nammo’s Medium and Large Calibre Division. “Nammo’s APEX concept is based on more than 20 years of heritage in the aircraft ammunition business with presence on nearly all fighter aircraft of NATO and in the western world. This will give the air forces superior performance both in the air combat role and in the close air support role.”
“Our significant expertise in ordnance, combined with our world-class propellant technology, is the basis of what will be a highly productive partnership with Nammo and a product offering that will appeal to a wide range of international customers,” added Thales Australia CEO, Chris Jenkins. “I have high expectations for this cooperation. Not only will this create a broader basis for further business development, but it will also pave the way for industrial participation related to the F-35 program and entry into the aircraft ammunition area.”
