MINNEAPOLIS, May 5 (UPI) -- The U.S. Army has ordered more than $488 million worth of small-caliber ammunition under an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract with ATK.
ATK, which has headquarters in Minnesota, said the order includes a mix of 5.56mm, 7.62mm and .50 caliber military ammunition to be produced at the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant in Independence, Mo.
"This latest set of orders includes an increase in the demand for the new M855A1 Enhanced Performance Round, which is getting very positive reviews by the warfighter," said ATK Small Caliber Systems Vice President and General Manager Mark Hissong.
"We've produced more than 100 million rounds of the M855A1 EPR since transitioning it into full-rate production last year. We will increase EPR production rates this year as we complete the modernization of high-speed, high-volume 5.56mm production equipment used to manufacture this new high-performance round."
ATK is the world's leading producer of small-caliber military and commercial ammunition. The company successfully partnered with the Army to design and produce the new 5.56mm cartridge, known to the U.S. warfighter as the Enhanced Performance Round.
