ANNISTON, Ala. - BAE Systems and Camoplast Inc. have entered into a strategic alliance to jointly design, develop, and produce segmented band track for the Future Combat System Manned Ground Vehicle. Design and prototyping will be completed in 2006 with system demonstration planned in 2007.

BAE Systems is the primary track designer for the U.S. military with ongoing research projects for steel, aluminum, titanium, metal matrix and rubber track. Its facility in Anniston, Ala., also produces the majority of forged track and components for the U.S. inventory of tracked combat vehicles.

Camoplast Inc. is headquartered in Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada and has 2,000 employees in 12 manufacturing sites located in the United States, Canada and Europe. The main activities of Camoplast are linked to the manufacturing of rubber tracks, composite and plastic components, aimed at heavy vehicles, recreational, agricultural, transportation, defense and industrial markets.

BAE Systems is contracted on the Future Combat System program for the development of the manned ground vehicle family in partnership with General Dynamics Land Systems. BAE Systems has the lead on five ground vehicles including the Non Line of Sight Cannon. The company is also contracted to develop two Armored Robotic Vehicles providing reconnaissance and over-watch capabilities.

BAE Systems
20.06.2006