ATK [ATK]  Wednesday said it received several domestic contracts totaling more than $112 million for medium- and large-caliber ammunition production and development for ammunition to arm aircraft such as the A-10, AH-64 Apache attack helicopter and the AC-130 gunship, as well as training ammunition for crews maintaining their gunnery expertise on the Apache and Abrams main battle tank.

The contracts were awarded through Army Maneuver Ammunition Systems in its role as the Single Manager for Conventional Ammunition, the organization responsible for the procurement of ammunition for all U.S. armed services.

“Developing and producing ammunition that provides superior performance and reliability is the cornerstone of our business,” said Dan Olson, vice president and general manager of ATK’s Armament Systems division. “Our expertise spans millions of rounds produced of highly-effective tactical ammunition for air, ground and sea platforms as well as cost-effective training ammunition that provide a realistic experience for the warfighter.”

In a June 4 statement, Mike Kahn, president of ATK’s Defense Group, said: “ATK strives to always provide our U.S. military customers with the quality and accuracy they demand, no matter the product.”

Ammunition, Lake City Army Ammunition Plant Photo: U.S. Army
Ammunition, Lake City Army Ammunition Plant

Photo: U.S. Army

Program management for medium- and large-caliber ammunition is provided from the ATK defense facility in Plymouth, Minn., while ammunition production occurs at ATK defense-managed facilities located within Allegany Ballistics Laboratory in Rocket Center, W.Va., Lake City Army Ammunition Plant in Independence, Mo., and New River Energetics in Radford, Va.

The ammunition types supported through these contracts include the 30mm PGU-13 High Explosive Incendiary cartridge that is used to defeat light material targets. It also supports the tactical use of the Air Force A-10 GAU-8/A Gatling gun.

Also, the LW30mm M788 Target Practice and M789 High Explosive Dual Purpose tactical ammunition are fired from the Apache’s ATK M230 Chain Gun® Automatic Cannon.

Additionally, the 40mm L/60 High Explosive Incendiary cartridge is fired from the 40mm, M2A1 cannon for air-to-surface engagements by the Air Force AC-130 gunship.

ATK also will provide the 120mm M1002 Multi-Purpose Anti-Tank, Target Practice with Tracer ammunition, which is designed for use with the M1A1/A2 Abrams main battle tank. The M1002 closely replicates the M830A1 High Explosive Anti-Tank, Multi-Purpose with Tracer tactical ammunition in appearance and ballistic performance to provide the armor crewman with an affordable, realistic training experience.This award is for year three of a four-year, multi-year contract previously awarded to ATK for tank training ammunition.