The Air Force recently awarded ATK [ATK] a $32 million contract to produce 30mm tactical (PGU-13) and training (PGU-15) ammunition, according to an ATK statement.
The PGU-13 is a high-explosive incendiary round used in air-to-ground and close air support roles to defeat light targets at extended ranges. The PGU-15 is a target practice round providing aircrews with a low-cost, ballistic match to the PGU-13 that also provides realistic training environments for crews. Both the PGU-13 and PGU-15 are used by the Air Force’s A-10 fighter jet.
ATK spokesman Jarrod Krull said Wednesday in an email the difference between a tactical round, such as the PGU-13, and a training round like the PGU-15 is that a tactical round contains a warhead that incorporates an extended range, incendiary capability used to defeat light material and any flammable targets. Krull said the PGU-15 is ballistically matched to the PGU-13 so that it performs in training applications like the PGU-13 but doesn’t contain the incendiary capability for range safety purposes.
Production deliveries are scheduled to begin as early as March 2013.