The
U.S. Army Contracting Command in Redstone Arsenal, Ala.,
awarded the contract, which exercises a fiscal year 2011
option on an existing contract. The U.S. Army orders Hydra
rockets for all branches of the U.S. military and select
allies. Final deliveries under this order are expected
to be completed in April 2015.
General
Dynamics employs over 300 people at its Camden, Ark.,
facility, where the company has been the sole manufacturer
of the Hydra since 1996. The company recently delivered
its four-millionth Hydra rocket. System engineering and
program management for the Hydra will be performed at
General Dynamics’ technology center in Williston,
Vt., which employs approximately 400 workers.
“The
Hydra is a cost-effective, versatile, combat-proven weapon
that enhances the survivability, protection and mission
success of the U.S. military and its allies,” said
Russ Klein, vice president and general manager of weapon
systems for General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products.
“We recently produced our four-millionth Hydra,
and we look forward to the five-millionth, in fulfilling
our commitment to deliver a high-quality product to warfighters
in the field.”
The
Hydra-70, 2.75-inch (diameter) rocket is fired from U.S.
Army’s Apache and Kiowa Warrior helicopters, as
well as helicopters and aircraft of other armed forces.
Hydra rockets are composed of two main components: the
MK66 rocket motor and the warhead. Assembled by General
Dynamics, the rocket motor is approximately three-and-a-half
feet in length and weighs nearly 15 pounds. The rocket’s
warhead varies to meet the wide range of mission requirements
for all branches of the U.S. military. General Dynamics
and other suppliers build the various warheads, which
are attached to the rocket motor either at the Arkansas
facility or by the warfighter in the field.
