Article Posted on : - May 06, 2011

A file photo.

MINNEAPOLIS (BNS): US Army has awarded ATK orders totaling more than $488 million for small caliber ammunition pursuant to an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract.

The contract which was awarded by the US Army Contracting Command, Rock Island (ACC-RI), includes a mix of 5.56mm, 7.62mm and .50 caliber military ammunition to be produced at the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant in Independence, Missouri.

"This latest set of orders includes an increase in the demand for the new M855A1 Enhanced Performance Round, which is getting very positive reviews by the warfighter," Mark Hissong, ATK Small Caliber Systems Vice President and General Manager, was quoted as saying in the company news release.

"We've produced more than 100 million rounds of the M855A1 EPR since transitioning it into full-rate production last year," he added.

ATK is the world's leading producer of small-caliber military and commercial ammunition. The company successfully partnered with the Army to design and produce the new 5.56mm cartridge known to the U.S. warfighter as the Enhanced Performance Round (EPR).