Global defense giant courts U.S. partners: as chief of VT Kinetics, retired Gen. John Coburn is bullish about company's future.

• Author: Ezell, Virginia Hart
• Position: Brief Article

Despite its failure to win a lucrative contract to build the U.S. Army's light armored vehicle, the future remains bright for VT Systems Inc., said its recently appointed chairman, retired Army general John G. Coburn.

The company is the U.S. subsidiary of Singapore Technologies Engineering, a $2.5 billion manufacturer of aerospace, electronic, maritime and land systems products. Coburn ended his military career last year as the four-star chief of the U.S. Army Materiel Command, to be chairman and chief executive officer of the company's American subsidiary, VT Systems Inc.

In his new job, based in Bethesda, Md., Coburn joined a cadre of notable former U.S. officers hired by VT Kinetics. John Tillelli, a former commander in chief of U.S. forces in Korea, is board chairman of VT Land Systems, a subsidiary of VT Systems. On the same board is Leo Pigaty, who served as deputy commanding general of the AMC. Archie Clemins, who was commander in chief of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, and Ronald R Fogleman, a former Air Force chief of staff, serve as consultants.

Although the parent company is headquartered in Singapore, VT Systems is an American company, Coburn insisted during a recent interview. "It's incorporated in Delaware," he said. "The profits from the company will be put back into the company, and it employs Americans.

VT Kinetics is best known in the United States for the Bionix tracked armored personnel carrier, its unsuccessful entry in the $4 billion competition for a light armored vehicle for the U.S. Army. Ultimately, the Army selected a wheeled Light Armored Vehicle, Generation III, offered by General Motors Defense, of London, Ontario, and General Dynamics Land Systems, of Sterling Heights, Mich.

Despite the loss, the Bionix gained visibility from the competition, which should be useful on the world defense market, Coburn said. The Bionix was among 36 vehicles from 11 countries which took part in platform performance demonstrations two years ago at Fort Knox, Ky. It was one of four platforms chosen for further evaluation. Meanwhile, it was shown at exhibitions in places such as Huntsville, Ala.; Washington, D.C., and New York City.

Other products that VT Kinetics is marketing in the United States are the 5.56 x 45 mm SAR 21 bullpup assault rifle and 5.56 x 45 mm Ultimax 100 machine gun. The target markets are law enforcement and border patrol agencies, Coburn said.

"With the recent emphasis on homeland security, there is a market for the...