Saab and Action Manufacturing Company announced at AUSA 2021 an exclusive strategic teaming agreement to offer U.S. domestic production of Saab’s solution for the U.S. Army’s Individual Assault Munition (IAM).
The teaming agreement announced at AUSA was signed on July 28, 2021 and brings together Saab’s world-renowned excellence in ground combat systems with Action’s decades of production experience supplying precision ordnance for the U.S. Armed Forces. Saab’s IAM offer allows the U.S. Army to leverage existing industrial, logistical and operator knowledge, along with prior investment in the combat-proven firepower of Saab’s M136/AT4 shoulder fired weapon.
“This strategic agreement means Saab’s IAM weapon for the U.S. warfighter will be produced here in the United States by Action Manufacturing, whose experience and expertise will add value to our offer and our customer. This means Saab’s offer for the IAM requirement is strengthening both the individual soldier’s effectiveness and the U.S. industrial base for ground combat weapons,” said Erik Smith, President and CEO of Saab Inc.
“Action Manufacturing and Saab are a fantastic team for the IAM program. At Action Manufacturing, our employees have been delivering precision ordnance for the U.S. Armed Forces to the highest of standards. Being chosen to build Saab’s offer for the IAM program is just the kind of work we excel in,” said Sean Gibbs, President and CEO of Action Manufacturing Company.
Saab’s offer for the IAM program is based on the M136/AT4 family that has been in U.S. service for over 35 years, and is deployed by over 15 countries worldwide. It is a lightweight, simple to use weapon that a dismounted soldier, or one operating from within a confined space, simply aims, fires and destroys the target. Saab’s IAM solution is characterized by exceptional terminal effects against a variety of hardened target types, combined by its ease of use and handling.
Under the teaming agreement, Action Manufacturing will carry out manufacturing and production of Saab’s IAM solution at their sites in Bristol and Atglen, Pennsylvania.
This decision to offer U.S. production is part Saab’s international growth strategy and aligns with other decisions for domestic production in the U.S. market, as with the aerospace sector for T-7A and in the Surveillance Radar sector with AN/SPS-77.
Action is a major manufacturer of precision ordnance products with full in-house capabilities from design, fabrication and final assembly of metal parts, to explosive loading and testing. The company serves the U.S. Government, friendly foreign governments and numerous domestic and international commercial firms. Action Manufacturing Company is located in Bristol, Pennsylvania.
Saab is a leading defense and security company with an enduring mission, to help nations keep their people and society safe. Empowered by its 18,000 talented people, Saab constantly pushes the boundaries of technology to create a safer, more sustainable and more equitable world. Saab designs, manufactures and maintains advanced systems in aeronautics, weapons, command and control, sensors and underwater systems. Saab is headquartered in Sweden. It has major operations all over the world and is part of the domestic defense capability of several nations.
Saab, Inc. is a U.S. based, wholly owned subsidiary, delivering advanced technology and systems, supporting the U.S. Armed Forces and the Federal Aviation Administration, as well as international and commercial partners. Headquartered in Syracuse, New York, the company has business units and local employees in seven U.S. locations.
Source: SaabInc.com