$8.5M for Programmable 40mm Grenades

Mk.19 40mm GMG/AGL(click to view full) The US Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division in Crane, IN has awarded NAMMO Raufoss AS (Medium & Large Caliber Division) in Raufoss, Norway an $8.45 million firm-fixed-price contract for 39,776 rounds of MK 285 40mm programmable pre-fragmented, high explosive (PPHE) ammunition. The NAMMO AS 40mm PPHE cartridge utilizes an electronically programmable time fuze (Mk438), which has both point detonating and self-destruct functions. The programming allows the round to be fired from an automatic grenade launcher and detonate to hit targets hidden behind cover, on rooftops, behind corners, inside buildings or in trenches, etc. Work will be performed in Raufoss, Norway, and is expected to be complete by November 2007. The contract was not competitively procured (N00164-06-C-4879). NAMMO was recently acquired by Patria Oyj of Finland, though it also remains partly owned by the Norwegian government. In addition to 40mm grenades, the firm also makes specialty sniper ammunition for US forces.