BAE Systems wins US Army explosives contract

BAE Systems will continue producing explosives at the Holston Army Ammunition Plant in Tennessee for the US Army under a new contract announced on 22 March. The company has received an initial $18.4 million order to produce additional quantities of IMX-101 as part of a five-year contract valued at up to $780 million.

IMX-101 is an insensitive munition that is approved by the US Army as a safe and effective replacement for TNT in artillery rounds. The company developed IMX-101 and fielded it in partnership with the army at the Holston plant, which the company operates and manages for the government.

IMX-101 is part of a new family of explosives under development called Insensitive Munitions eXplosives (IMX). These explosive formulations are significantly more stable than conventional TNT and Composition B, making the weapon systems they support safer for troops to transport and handle.

Erin Moseley, president of BAE Systems’ Support Solutions sector, said: ‘The work we do at Holston is critical to the defence of our nation and to the safety of our men and women in uniform. IMX-101 is truly innovative and is revolutionising military ordnance. Once fully fielded, it will help to save lives on and off the battlefield.’