Northrop Grumman gets $194m US Army contract for ammunition

The US Army has awarded a contract valued at $194m to Northrop Grumman’s wholly owned subsidiary Alliant Techsystems Operations for the supply of small-calibre ammunition.

Intended for supporting the US and allied troops, the ammunition will be produced at the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant located in Independence, Missouri, US.

The contract involves orders for 5.56mm, 7.62mm and Cal. 50 cartridges.

Since 2000, the company manufactured more than 18 billion rounds of small-calibre ammunition at the Lake City plant to support the US Department of Defense.

Northrop Grumman noted that the plant is equipped with the latest technology to ensure employee safety, product quality, overall efficiency and environmental stewardship.

Northrop Grumman small calibre systems vice-president Rick Lavelock said: “We are honoured to continue our longstanding support of the US Armed Forces and its allies by providing them with reliable, high-quality ammunition.

“Every member of the Lake City team understands that the ammunition we produce helps defend freedom, and we are humbled by that awesome responsibility.”

In addition to small-calibre systems, the company’s ammunition portfolio includes armament systems, bushmaster chain guns, automatic cannons, medium-calibre and large calibre ammunition.

Last month, Northrop Grumman entered into two additional deals with the US Army.

One of the deals is a $982m R4 contract, which will involve the company competing for individual task orders covering research and technology development, integration support, laboratory demonstration, logistics and cybersecurity, among others.

The company will assist the army in obtaining cyber electromagnetic activities (CEMA).

The second deal is for the development of radar threat warning sensors to protect aircrews from the latest radio frequency-guided anti-aircraft weapons.