| Company Profile:
Meggitt Defense Systems Caswell
Meggitt Defense Systems Caswell (formerly Caswell
International), based in Northeast Minneapolis, has an 80 year history
of forward-looking innovations in military and law enforcement live
fire training. MDS Caswell is the oldest defense contractor in Minnesota
and has played a significant role in establishing this state as
a primary resource for global defense technology.
Meggitt Defense Systems Caswell (MDSC) is a world
leader in military ground targetry, including complete urban operations
training networks from control systems through targets to scoring,
static and dynamic armor and infantry targets, and indoor and outdoor
ranges. But what makes MDSC truly a turnkey provider of range systems
is that it also has designers to customize designs according to
customers’ unique needs as well as field service personnel
ready to bring their engineering expertise to bear anywhere in the
world. From initial range concept through the first shots fired
and scored on a completed range complex, MDSC means training.
Locally, MDSC is an employer of more than 150 in
Minneapolis and has long been active in the Minnesota business community.
More than 80 percent of MDS Caswell suppliers are within 200 miles
of Minneapolis, contributing both to the local economy and Minnesota’s
defense industry.
Background
Caswell International began during Prohibition and the roaring 20’s
in the upper Midwest as law enforcement officials sought ways to
improve training for officers facing the increasing firepower of
the lawless. Under the names of both Caswell and Caswell Detroit
Armor Companies, early fire range targets, controls, and accessories
were modernized through World War II as military live fire training
needs grew. Caswell in its various forms has designed, built, and
installed equipment for over 10,000 ranges worldwide.
"MDS Caswell brings a long proud history of
product reliability, customer service and solid Midwest corporate
values to MDS and the MN defense industry," said Jim Odom,
President of MDS Caswell. "Our rapid growth, particularly in
the U.S. Military and international markets, validates our ‘customer
first’ approach. When combined with MDS’s global reach,
MDS Caswell’s center of excellent in range systems becomes
a formidable competitor in the worldwide range systems and ground
targetry markets. MDS and Meggitt PLC provide the resources and
the breadth of experience to prime large range contracts."
Caswell’s experience earned it the opportunity
to provide the firing range in the National Police Hall of Fame
and a feature on the History Channel’s "Modern Marvels"
series. More importantly, clients around the world – from
local police agencies to NATO Special Forces units - have relied
on MDSC to sharpen their weapon training.
Status
MDSC was purchase by Meggitt, an international defense, aerospace,
and electronics corporation, in 2003. MDSC has retained its focus
on client satisfaction and dedication to quality as a part of Meggitt,
and has grown its presence in the global military training and simulation
marketplace as a result of becoming part of a global defense company.
Future
Targets, control systems, accessories, and range services will continue
to be the core competencies of MDSC. MDSC is well positioned to
serve the future needs of the training community. Just as the emerging
threats are unpredictable, MDSC has engineered maximum flexibility
and versatility into its design for next-generation training systems.
Part of the future resides in bringing capability
to the trainer as opposed to forcing units onto a specific range
with predictable target patterns and scenarios. MDSC has raised
the bar in live fire training by developing deployable training
systems such as the mobile live fire training Road RangeTM --a complete
training range inside a trailer--and deployable infantry and armor
targets that can be installed on unimproved terrain, in a matter
of minutes, with no special equipment required. These deployable
systems provide the full gamut of range training capability and
the added flexibility of being portable.
Rich Haddad, MDSC’s Vice President of Business
Development noted, "The global war on terrorism is rapidly
changing the training requirements of both military and law enforcement
agencies around the world. MDS Caswell is continually developing
training systems, in conjuction with our customers, to address these
emerging needs. Our newest solutions include deployable systems,
touch screen and smart card technology for range control and the
full suite of MOUT/FIBUA training devices. MDS Caswell is committed
to meeting live fire training needs and continues to be the leader
in customer service for live fire facilities."
As requirements for future forces are shaped, MDSC will be at the
forefront of providing leading-edge live fire training solutions
to meet those needs. It has 80 years of leadership in the live fire
market. When combined with MDS expertise, global reach and resources,
MDS Caswell is poised to remain the leader in live fire training
systems.
Meggitt Defense Systems
Caswell Mobile Road
Range Firearms Training Center
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