ATK Awarded $49 Million contract for Special Operations Ammunition from US Navy

Alliant Techsystems announced today that it has received a $49 million contract from the U.S. Navy to produce a new special operations ammunition round with improved accuracy, stronger barrier penetration, and a lower muzzle-flash. ATK Security and Sporting developed the round in partnership with the Naval Surface Warfare Center - Crane Division under the Special Operations Science and Technology (SOST) ammunition program. The SOST ammunition will be manufactured in 5.56x45mm and 7.62x51mm calibers, and is short-barrel optimized. It is designed for use with the MK16 and MK17 Special Operations Combat Assault Rifle Weapon System. Production will be performed at ATK's Federal Premium Ammunition plant in Anoka, MN. Deliveries are expected to be completed in 2015. "ATK is the clear leader in developing new ammunition technologies for commercial use," said Ron Johnson, President of ATK's Security and Sporting group. "We are now applying our research and development capability to satisfy the needs of our special operation forces."