May 25 (UPI) -- Orders for .50-caliber ammunition have been given to Orbital ATK by the U.S. Army under the company's small-caliber ammunition contract, the company reported on Wednesday.
The orders, worth a combined total of $76 million, will be fulfilled at the Orbital ATK-run Lake City Army Ammunition Plant in Independence, Mo.
"Once again, we have been called upon to supply our nation's warfighters and allies with the best quality, most reliable ammunition available, and we are honored to answer that call," Jim Nichols, vice president and general manager of the Small Caliber Systems Division of Orbital ATK's Defense Systems Group, said in a press release. "Our employees know that every round of ammunition they produce helps defend freedom, and they are proud and humbled by that awesome responsibility."
Orbital ATK is the prime manufacturer of small-caliber ammunition for the U.S. Department of Defense and has produced more than 17 billion rounds at Lake City since the year 2000. Last year, it received orders worth $92 million for the plant to produce 5.56mm and 7.62mm rifle ammunition.
The number of .50-caliber rounds was not detailed. Neither was their delivery schedule.
