ATK Defense Group producing ammunition for U.S. military

ARLINGTON, Va., June 5 (UPI) -- Contracts for medium- and large-caliber ammunition for U.S. military aircraft have been given to ATK's Defense Group by the U.S. Army.

The ammunition is for platforms such as A-10 aircraft, Apache attack helicopters and AC-130 gunships. Training ammunition for the Abrams battle tank is also included.

"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."

ATK said that under the contracts from the U.S. Army Maneuver Ammunition Systems, responsible for ammunition procurement for all services, it will provide 30mm PGU-13 high-explosive incendiary cartridges, LW30mm M788 target practice rounds, M789 high-explosive dual purpose tactical ammunition, 40mm L/60 high-explosive incendiary cartridges, and 120mm M1002 multi-purpose anti-tank rounds.

The orders are worth a combined total of $112 million. Details of a delivery schedule for the ammunition, however, were not provided.

Program management for medium- and large-caliber ammunition is to be provided from the company's facility in Minnesota. Production will take place at company-managed facilities within the Allegany Ballistics Laboratory in West Virginia, the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant in Missouri, and the New River Energetics facility in Virginia.