U.S. Army places $203 million order for Orbital ATK ammunition

DULLES, Va., Oct. 14 (UPI) -- The U.S. Army has placed $203 million in orders for small ammunition from Orbital ATK as part of the branch's seven-year contract with the company.

The order includes .30 caliber, .50 caliber, 7.62 mm, and 5.56 mm rounds. The orders are produced at the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant in Missouri, where Orbital ATK has been producing the Army's orders for over 15 years. Vice President and General Manager of Orbital ATK's Small Caliber Systems division of the Defense Systems Group Kent Holiday calls the company's commitment to the Army "unwavering."

"It is our proud legacy to be the U.S. Army's leading supplier of small caliber ammunition by continuing to provide reliable, affordable ammunition that warfighters have come to depend on," Holiday said.

Orbital ATK has produced 19 billion rounds of small caliber ammunition in Lake City. The announcement comes as the ammunition producer upgrades its facilities with modern technology to improve their efficiency and cost-effectiveness.