ATK begins full rate production of the US Army's new EPR
ATK has received orders from the US Army's Program Manager for Maneuver Ammunition Systems (PM-MAS) for nearly 300 million rounds of the new M855A1 Enhanced Performance Round (EPR). The EPR is an enhanced version of the M855 5.56mm cartridge, used by US troops since the early 1980s. ATK is producing the new cartridge at the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant in Independence, Mo. ATK produced the initial 20 million rounds of M855A1, which were delivered to the troops in Afghanistan earlier this year.
"This is a significant breakthrough in ammunition performance for America's warfighters," said Mark Hissong, ATK Small Caliber Systems Vice President and General Manager. "To ensure optimal performance, ATK and the Army put the EPR through the most rigorous and thorough test regime of any round we have ever produced. The result is the successful fielding of a high-performance round that is in theater today, and capable of providing superior firepower in any combat condition."
ATK partnered with the Army to develop a flexible manufacturing plan to rapidly transition the EPR program into high-volume production. The new round offers a higher velocity for more energy on target, improved hard-target capability, and greater accuracy and consistency for effectiveness at long range. The round's technological advancements, coupled with ATK's innovative approach to ammunition engineering, have delivered what the Army calls "the most significant advancement in general purpose small caliber ammunition in decades."
Source: ATK
More from Land Warfare
-
![BAE Systems expands Amphibious Combat Vehicle family with modular capabilities for future missions]()
BAE Systems expands Amphibious Combat Vehicle family with modular capabilities for future missions
BAE Systems recently announced two contracts for a total of 60 ACVs for the US Marines and has displayed its ACV Logistics concept.
-
![Lockheed Martin builds first Saudi Arabian THAAD components]()
Lockheed Martin builds first Saudi Arabian THAAD components
The THAAD launcher was first procured by Saudi Arabia in 2017, with local production a key condition of the sale.
-
![US Army to test droppable camera for perimeter security under the xTech programme]()
US Army to test droppable camera for perimeter security under the xTech programme
Bounce Imaging’s Thermal Camera Spike is a rugged, deployable 360° surveillance tool.
-
![Oshkosh Defense starts production on ROGUE-Fires and develops MTVR 4×4 variant]()
Oshkosh Defense starts production on ROGUE-Fires and develops MTVR 4×4 variant
Both ROGUE-Fires and the MTVR demonstrator have been designed for Indo-Pacific mobility and expeditionary operations.
-
![How Ukraine’s wartime innovators are redefining tactical communication]()
How Ukraine’s wartime innovators are redefining tactical communication
A Ukrainian company in a race against Russian jammers has been demonstrating how the country’s innovative start-ups have been beating the West at its own game.
