Article Posted on : - May 05, 2010

An ATK Photo.

MINNEAPOLIS (BNS): US Army Contracting Command in Rock Island, Illinois has awarded the Alliant Techsystems (ATK) a $372 million contract for the production of 5.56mm, 7.62mm and .50-caliber ammunition.

"ATK has demonstrated the capability to support the tremendous increase in demand, while in parallel, modernising the facility," said Mark Hissong, Vice President and General Manager of ATK Small Caliber Systems, according to a news report by the ATK.

ATK has delivered more than 10 billion rounds of ammunition to the US Army for use by all the military services and also successfully executed a $242 million modernisation project to ensure that the LCAAP remains a viable national asset.

ATK operates the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant (LCAAP) in Independence, Missouri, where the rounds will be produced.

ATK began operating the plant in April 2000 and has increased production from 350 million to more than 1.4 billion rounds annually. The plant has the capability to produce a mix of 5.56mm, 7.62mm, .50-caliber, and 20mm cartridges, as well as ammunition links.