Orbital ATK details ammo contracts

Orbital ATK has been awarded domestic and international contracts worth $105 million for medium- and large-calibre ammunition, the company announced on 12 October. 

The new orders span a range of 20mm, 25mm and 30mm tactical and target practice ammunition for multiple US and allied services for use with land, air and sea weapons platforms. The contracts also include 120mm tactical and training ammunition for the Abrams main battle tank. 

The company will undertake full-rate production of its next-generation 120mm Kinetic Energy anti-tank cartridge, M829A4, as a part of orders for large calibre ammunition. The company expects to start production in early 2016.

Also on order is the 120mm M1002 multi-purpose anti-tank target practice cartridge, to provide Abrams tank crew with realistic training ammunition. 

Orbital ATK will also produce 20mm ammunition for the PGU-27 target and PGU-28 tactical semi-armour piercing high explosive incendiary.  Additional 20mm orders include the M940 multi-purpose tracer self-destruct cartridge for use with the Counter Rocket, Artillery and Mortar (C-RAM) system, and the MK244 armour piercing discarding sabot enhanced lethality cartridge which is used with the Phalanx system. 

Orders for 25mm ammunition include the M792 high explosive incendiary with tracer and self-destruct cartridge equipped with a self-destruct fuze. The M792 is fired by the M242 Bushmaster, M811, KBA or GAU-12 cannons.

Orbital ATK will also produce the 30mm MK266 High Explosive Incendiary rounds that use a low-drag fuze. They can be used with any cannon firing 30mm x 173mm ammunition.

Dan Olson, vice president and general manager, armament systems division of the defense systems, Orbital ATK Group, said: ‘We are committed to being the partner of choice for the production and development of ammunition for a wide variety of combat systems. Our contributions to the soldier are to provide a continuous supply of ammunition for training and tactical use, and to develop ammunition that provides a distinct combat advantage for those defending their nation’s security.’