The U.S. Army Field Support Command, Rock Island, IL recently issued a series of firm-fixed-price target practice ammunition contracts. Weapons systems covered include 25mm cartridges for the M242 chain guns of the M2/M3 Bradley Infantry fighting Vehicle and the USMC’s LAVs; the 30mm M230 chain gun of the AH-64 Apache helicopter; and the GAU-8/A tank-killer gatling gun of the A-10 Thunderbolt II. The total value of all three contracts is $70.5 million, and could rise to $80.7 million if all options are exercised.
* General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems in Marion, IL received a $9.2 million contract for 25mm M793 TP-T (target practice-traced) and 25mm M910 TPDS-T (target practice discarding sabot-traced) Cartridges (W52P1J-05-C-0054). They are used by the M242 chain guns of the M2/M3 Bradley Infantry fighting Vehicle and the USMC’s LAVs. Work will be performed in Marion, IL and is expected to be complete by July 31, 2006. There were two bids solicited on April 8, 2005, and two bids were received.
* General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems in Marion, IL received a $32.5 million contract for the production of 30mm PGU 15/B TP rounds. Used primarily by the U.S. Air Force A-10 Warthog, the PGU 15/B TP round is used to train aircrews in the use of the GAU-8/A tank-killer gatling gun. See corporate release
* General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems in Marion, IL received an $11.8 million contract for M788 30mm target practice rounds and M848 30mm dummy ammunition. The AH-64 Apache helicopter, meanwhile carries a 30mm M230 chain gun and these are its practice cartridges. With all options exercised, the total value of this contract could exceed $22 million. See corporate release
* Alliant Techsystems in Anoka, MN received an $8.6 million contract for M788 30mm target practice rounds (W52P1J-05-C-0047). The AH-64 Apache helicopter carries a 30mm M230 chain gun, and the M788 is one of its practice cartridges. Work will be performed in Radford, VA and is expected to be completed by Feb. 28, 2006. There were two bids solicited on March 28, 2005, and two bids were received.
* Alliant Techsystems in Anoka, MN received an $8.7 million firm-fixed-price contract for 25mm M793 TP-T (target practice-traced) rounds (W52P1J-05-C-0053). They are used by the M242 chain guns of the M2/M3 Bradley Infantry fighting Vehicle and the USMC’s LAVs.Work will be performed in Radford, VA and is expected to be complete by July 31, 2006. There were two bids solicited on April 8, 2005, and two bids were received.
(a less comprehensive listing of these contracts ran on July 1, 2005)