Fiber Innovations to Produce Launch Tubes for Marine Corp

Walpole, MA - June 1, 2000 - Fiber Innovations has been awarded a production contract to manufacture the launch tubes for the Marine Corps' SMAW-HEDP ground weapon system. The composite tubes are manufactured using the company's automated braiding and resin transfer molding (RTM) technology.

The Shoulder-launched Multipurpose Assault Weapon (SMAW) is a lightweight unguided weapon designed to destroy bunkers, fortifications and fighting vehicles at close range. The man-portable, 83 mm weapon fires High Explosive Dual Purpose (HEDP) rockets from a fiberglass launch tube. Fiber Innovations utilizes its textile braiding process to produce the launch tubes, including integral wiring and attach brackets, which protect the rocket during transportation and field handling.

Prime contractor for the SMAW system is Talley Defense Systems of Mesa Arizona. Founded in 1960, Talley Defense Systems is an employee-owned company which designs, develops, and produces propellant-based products for the defense and commercial marketplace.

Production plans call for fabricating more than 5,700 units, with additional options available on the contract. Option year production could reach 15,000 units annually. At peak rate, SMAW production at Fiber Innovations will employ about one third of its work force. If all production options are exercised approximately 25 jobs will be associated with the new work. Delivery of the first unit is scheduled this summer.

Fiber Innovations supplies lightweight composite parts and assemblies for aerospace and defense applications. Utilizing a combination of braiding and RTM and other molding processes, Fiber Innovations provides automated, low cost, high rate and high quality composite parts for a variety of configurations and applications.

Contact: David Maass for Fiber Innovations
(203) 458 0722
(203) 453 8867
david.p.maass@snet.net