US Army awards rapid prototyping and technology insertion contract to Battelle

Battelle has received a rapid prototyping and technology insertion (RPTI) task order from the US Army.

A part of the Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Centre (ARDEC), the RPTI task order has a potential ceiling value of $300m over five years for all seven awardees.

The contract aims to use Battelle’s expertise in the development of new energetic materials, precursors and binders, armour development and testing, ammunition and armament product improvements, as well as munitions, non-destructive test (NDT) methodology and system development.

In addition, Battelle will use its experience in the development of tracked and wheeled mobile robot enhancements and technologies, testing of explosives detection systems and the fabrication and refurbishment of armament related products, components and subassemblies.

Battelle is regularly used by the army for assistance in the design, fabrication and testing of new technology for battlefield use.

The company has recently answered the army’s requirement to simplify and update complex 40mm ammunition designs. This was to enhance performance and affordability through the use of modern manufacturing processes and better-performing materials.

Working with a team of ammunition industry leaders, the company analysed technical data packages and quality assurance criteria to create prototype 40mm grenade designs, which have fewer components, are easier to manufacture and can be acquired at a lower cost.

In addition, the team manufactured prototypes for tests and evaluation, and also produced the verification of the improved designs.

Under a separate project, the company’s researchers and engineers conducted manufacturing analysis of a range of the army’s small arms weapons, such as machine guns.

As well as examining the materials used in the weapons and the tolerance stack for each component and the quality assurance metrics, the experts also identified issues and made recommendations to resolve them.

The project resulted in the creation of technical data packages that were consistent and easy to manufacture.