General Dynamics wins $33m 30mm PGU-13 cartridge contract
General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics, has been awarded a $32.5 million contract for 30mm ammunition by the US Army Contracting Command in Rock Island, Ill. The award consists of a mixture of new production of PGU-13 D/B cartridges and the remanufacture of existing US Air Force inventory of PGU-13 HEI cartridges.
The PGU-13 is a high-explosive incendiary (HEI) round, predominately used in air-to-ground and close-air support by the Air Force's A-10 Thunderbolt attack aircraft. Fired from the A-10's 30mm GAU-8 Avenger cannon, the PGU-13 provides incendiary effects against an array of targets. The ammunition has been extensively used in operations in both Iraq and Afghanistan.
"The PGU-13 has been widely used in combat operations since Desert Storm, demonstrating excellent performance and reliability with A-10's cannon," said Tim McAuliffe, vice president and general manager of medium-caliber ammunition. "This is the first production of the PGU-13 in over 20 years to replenish critical levels in the Air Force's inventory."
Work will be performed in Marion, Ill., with an estimated completion date of July 2012.
General Dynamics is the only US manufacturer that can produce all three rounds in the 30mm x 173 ammunition family. Along with the PGU-13, the family consists of the PGU-14/B API and PGU-15/B TP that provide armor penetration and training capability, respectively, to the Air Force.
Source: General Dynamics
More from Land Warfare
-
![The first of 663 BvS10s delivered to Germany, Sweden and the UK]()
The first of 663 BvS10s delivered to Germany, Sweden and the UK
The vehicles are based on the latest version of the BvS10 All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) and include variants for troop transport, logistics, medical evacuation, recovery, and command and control. An unarmoured version is being delivered to the US and offered to Canada.
-
![DSEI 2025: Thales creating new remote weapon station and Storm 2 counter-drone jammer]()
DSEI 2025: Thales creating new remote weapon station and Storm 2 counter-drone jammer
Thales launched Storm-H in 2012 as an EW system equipping individual dismounted troops, and a decade later revealed details to develop the improved and more powerful Storm 2.
-
![The integration between drones and land vehicles is accelerating]()
The integration between drones and land vehicles is accelerating
Drones and military ground vehicles are increasingly being designed to operate together as a single platform or even to convert crewed systems to automated ones.
-
![Denmark shuns US platform as it settles on SAMP/T air defence system]()
Denmark shuns US platform as it settles on SAMP/T air defence system
The acquisition, which is part of the country’s broader defence package worth DKK58 billion (US$9.2 billion), goes against the grain with many other European countries opting for the US’s popular Patriot platform.
-
![In depth: Competition for British Army vehicle programme heats up, despite more delays]()
In depth: Competition for British Army vehicle programme heats up, despite more delays
The UK’s Land Mobility Programme (LMP) seems set to be delayed once again but industry is jockeying for position to partner in what would be one of the biggest ever buys for the British Army.
