ATK awarded $49.9m ammunition contract option
ATK has been awarded a $49.9 million contract option from the US Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Contracting Center, Rock Island, Ill., to produce Light Weight (LW) 30mm M789 High Explosive Dual Purpose (HEDP) ammunition.
The M789 round is fired by ATK’s M230 Chain Gun, in use on the US Army’s AH-64 Apache Attack Helicopters. Delivery of the optioned rounds is set to begin in September 2012, with production taking place in the company’s facilities in Radford, Va. and Rocket Center, W.Va.
“The dual-purpose M789 round provides the firepower necessary to penetrate armor while maintaining its high-explosive capability for use against soft targets,” said Dan Olson, Vice President and General Manager, ATK Integrated Weapon Systems. “This versatility has made it a highly-effective combat round, and it is currently supporting operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.”
ATK provides affordable, precision, medium-caliber cannons; advanced fire control systems for ground, sea, and air platforms; and produces more than eight million rounds of medium caliber ammunition per year.
Source: ATK
More from Land Warfare
-
![Eurosatory 2026: What has become of the Main Ground Combat System?]()
Eurosatory 2026: What has become of the Main Ground Combat System?
The Main Ground Combat System has had a troubled life. With repeated delays and competition on the horizon, the programme may be approaching the end of the road.
-
![Eurosatory 2026: France seeks strategic autonomy with Long-Range Ground Strike system]()
Eurosatory 2026: France seeks strategic autonomy with Long-Range Ground Strike system
As countries across Europe strive to acquire new multiple-launch rocket systems (MLRS) off the shelf, France has opted to develop its own to ensure it maintains domestic capability.
-
![“A staggering rate of change”: how experience combating IEDs is being applied to the C-UAS arena]()
“A staggering rate of change”: how experience combating IEDs is being applied to the C-UAS arena
The scale of the current escalation in drone attacks is fuelling demand for C-UAS technology that must address a rapidly evolving and expanding threat. Against this background, important lessons can be learned from the battle against IEDs, with networked responses and dispersed capabilities essential to deliver enduring protection.
-
![Eurosatory 2026: has the time finally come for Oshkosh’s hybrid electric JLTV?]()
Eurosatory 2026: has the time finally come for Oshkosh’s hybrid electric JLTV?
Oshkosh Defense’s hybrid electric Joint Light Tactical Vehicle offers the standard benefits of this type in scenarios such as silent watch and silent running as well as providing power for recharging systems. The company is arguing its 115kW power opens other roles too, particularly counter-drone.
-
![Air defence at scale: Europe’s challenge of cost, integration and sustainability]()
Air defence at scale: Europe’s challenge of cost, integration and sustainability
The evolution of aerial threats is driving renewed investment in ground-based air defence across Europe. Yet beyond capability, a more pressing challenge is emerging: how to sustain air defence at scale, as rising costs, limited stockpiles and industrial production constraints place increasing pressure on existing structures.
