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Army Under Secretary Tours Scranton Army Ammunition Plant

Saturday, April 4th, 2026

SCRANTON, Pa. — The Under Secretary of the Army, Honorable Michael Obadal, visited the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant on March 19.

SCAAP is a government-owned, contractor-operated facility, and is one of 17 arsenals, depots, and ammunition plants that are subordinate installations of the Joint Munitions Command.

JMC provides the conventional ammunition life?cycle functions of logistics sustainment, readiness and acquisition support for all U.S. military services, other government agencies, and allied nations, as directed. JMC is also the logistics integrator for life-cycle management of ammunition providing a global presence of technical support to frontline units.

SCAAP was established in 1953, and U.S. Hoffman Machinery was the contractor until 1963 when Chamberlain Manufacturing Corporation took over. General Dynamics-Ordnance and Tactical Systems assumed the operation of SCAAP in 2006 and is the current contractor.

SCAAP manufactures large-caliber metal projectiles to ensure warfighters have the ammunition they need to carry out missions around the globe. SCAAP has played a vital role in producing 155 mm artillery rounds, enabling allied nations to strengthen both their defensive and offensive capabilities.

SCAAP is in the middle of one of the most significant modernization efforts in its history, driven by the need to increase U.S. production of 155 mm artillery shells. Demand for these shells has surged, and the Army has responded by investing hundreds of millions to overhaul equipment, expand capacity, and update aging infrastructure. Much of the plant’s machinery had been in service for many decades, well beyond its intended lifespan.

Obadal was briefed on SCAAP’s production and modernization operations and saw the new 155 mm production lines while being briefed on the importance of SCAAP’s redundant production capabilities. The tour also included the legacy 155 mm rough turn and finish turn production lines, where Obadal witnessed numerous production processes from billet forge to heat treat.

“We welcome connecting face?to?face with senior leadership and providing them with a visual understanding of SCAAP’s production capability,” said Rich Hansen, SCAAP’s commander’s representative. “Their firsthand perspective drives home the importance of the work we carry out in Scranton, Pennsylvania, in support of those who defend our nation.”

While at SCAAP, Obadal underscored the need to maintain optimal production levels. He emphasized that future requirements must be factored into future planning.

“We value the opportunity to speak directly with senior leadership during their visits,” said Jason Shradnick, SCAAP’s deputy commander’s representative. “Hearing their concerns allows us to align our efforts more precisely and effectively to accomplish the Army’s production goals.”

By Matthew Wheaton, Joint Munitions Command, Public and Congressional Affairs

Posted in Ammo, Army, Guest Post, Manufacturing | No Comments »

US Government Awards Contract to Global Military Products to Manage the Army’s Quad Cities Cartridge Case Facility at Rock Island Arsenal

Friday, April 3rd, 2026

TAMPA, FL – (April 1, 2026) – The U.S. Government has awarded a four-year contract to Global Military Products to take over facility management and new product development of the Army’s Quad Cities Cartridge Case Facility (QCCCF) at Rock Island Arsenal, Ill. The change in operation management will help boost predictable and sustainable workload at the facility, while expanding on the skilled workforce, equipment and production capacity critical to the nation’s defense industrial base.

“The Army’s Rock Island Arsenal has been in operation for more than a century to keep our country lethal and ready, with the Quad Cities Cartridge Case Facility focused on production of brass and steel cartridges,” said Jeff Brunozzi, president, Global Ordnance Holdings, LLC. “Under this agreement, we will leverage the facility’s capacity and employees’ capabilities to better serve the U.S. and its allies by expanding current cartridge case production and establishing a Mortar Barrel Production Center of Excellence.”

The 180,000 square-foot QCCCF has deep-drawn forging technology that produces brass and steel cartridge cases, ranging from 40mm through 155mm. In addition to managing the current workload, Global Military Products will look to add production of additional cartridge cases in support of its contracts for both U.S. and non-NATO cartridge cases. This effort leverages the facility’s existing and underutilized manufacturing tooling assets, equipment and workforce while replenishing critical cartridge case inventories for the U.S. and partner-nation demand.

Global Military Products will also establish a domestic Mortar Barrel Production Center of Excellence within the QCCCF in partnership with Ellwood National Forge (ENF). Establishing a second source, solely U.S.-based production capability mitigates risk, improves readiness, strengthens supply chain resilience and aligns with government priorities for expanding critical munitions manufacturing under the U.S. Industrial Base Modernization Strategy. QCCCF will remain a government-owned facility, creating a reliable, scalable and domestic source for critical mortar components and reducing supply chain vulnerability for U.S. and allied forces.

“By integrating mortar barrel production into QCCCF’s expansive and well-structured manufacturing layout, we will create a second-source domestic capability for 81mm and 120mm mortar systems,” said James Knight, Director of Business Development, Global Military Products. “Our approach will both enhance the facility’s operational versatility and transform its unused capacity into a strategically relevant manufacturing node for critical mortar barrels.”

The teams at Global Military Products and ENF leading this effort have extensive experience with modernization efforts and plant management, including leading and supporting modernization efforts at Scranton Army Ammunition Plant (SCAAP), Holston Army Ammunition Plant (HSAAP) and Radford Army Ammunition Plant (RFAAP). These efforts were planned and sequenced to minimize production impact, reduce technical risk, and maintain compliance with Army safety and quality standards.

As part of the ELLWOOD Group, ENF has drawn on the vertically integrated capability to design, melt, remelt and forge steel ingots to ensure consistent supply of high-quality cannon and artillery barrels and component forgings ranging from 81–155mm for the past 40 years. This long production experience has enabled ENF to fully develop, mature, and continuously improve its manufacturing and quality processes. ENF’s technical expertise, customer service orientation and breadth of offerings is a demonstrated capability for achieving effective results at QCCCF.

The four-year Other Transaction Authority (OTA) contract is firm-fixed price. The contract value is not being disclosed.

Photos by Dori Whipple, Joint Munitions Command

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DOT&E Report on Next Generation Squad Weapons, Ammunition and Fire Control

Thursday, March 26th, 2026

On 13 March, 2026, the Department Of War’s Director, Operational Test and Evaluation Office (DOT&E) released their 2025 annual report to Congress. DOT&E provides oversight for acquisition related testing of new capabilities and releases an annual report. The report covers acquisition programs from each of the services and United States Special Operations Command, as well as missile systems. You can check it out here.

This article concentrates on the Next Generation Squad Weapons (NGSW) and Ammunition (W&A) and NGSW – Fire Control (FC) section.

As a reminder, the NGSW system includes the M7 Rifle, M250 Automatic Rifle, 6.8mm ammunition common to both weapons, and XM157 Fire Control mounted on each weapon. Recently added to the NGSW program is the XM8 Carbine. The M7, XM8, and the M250 are replacements for the 5.56mm M4/M4A1 carbine and M249 Squad Automatic Weapon currently used in the close combat force (CCF).

I’d like to note that the report refers to the XM157 FC without the eXperimental designation prefix it continues to carry. Over the years I have noted such instances of small details slipping through the cracks on their reports which remain at a very generic, high level for executive use.

NGSW is being procured under two separate Middle Tier of Acquisition programs: weapons and ammunition in one and Fire Control in the other. These are not traditional procurement programs but rather much more adaptive and fast paced. The NGSW W&A are manufactured by SIG SAUER, Inc, and the NGSW-FC is manufactured by Sheltered Wings, Inc, doing business as Vortex Optics.

According to the report, the Army completed an Operational Assessment of the NGSW system in October 2024 and limited lethality testing of the 6.8mm SP ammunition in December 2024 to support the planned transition of both the NGSW W&A and NGSW-FC programs from the MTA rapid fielding pathway to separate major capability acquisition programs in 3QFY26. The Army anticipates completing Live Fire Test & Evaluation (LFT&E) of the 6.8mm GP ammunition by 2QFY26. NGSW is no longer under DOT&E oversight for Developmental or Operational Testing. It has completed those tests. It does however, remain under Live Fire oversight.

The Army anticipates completing LFT&E of the 6.8mm GP ammunition at Aberdeen Proving Ground by 2QFY26. DOT&E will report on the 6.8mm GP ammunition LFT&E results in a classified lethality report in 3QFY26.

An Early Fielding Report (EFR) assessed individual soldier and squad performance using the NGSW system on static and maneuver ranges; highlighted the weapons’ suitability and soldiers’ safety concerns; and compared performance of the SP ammunition to that of current ammunition against specific types of targets.

Overall results of testing revealed these comments regarding the EFR report:

– Individual soldiers consistently qualified with their NGSW and, when firing on the variable distance range, demonstrated the ability to engage targets at extended distances.

– The 6.8mm SP ammunition generally provides increased lethality over the M855A1 (i.e., the SP ammunition for the legacy M4A1 weapon) against the tested targets.

– Improvements to system reliability, safety, human-systems integration, and compatibility with cold weather operations are needed.

– During the OA, soldiers reported negative physiological effects caused by the noxious off-gassing from their weapons, as well as concerns about the extreme heat from the weapons’ suppressors after firing.

– Most M250s equipped with M157s did not retain zero during the OA or the airborne test.

– Ergonomic complaints about the M157 persisted.

– The NGSW is compatible and safe for use during static line and military free-fall airborne operations.

In the end, the report leaves this lone recommendation:

The Army should:

1. Address the recommendations in the June 2025 EFR and classified limited lethality annex.

Naturally, we have no idea what is the classified annex. In fact, no information has been released regarding ammunition performance of NGSW than a mention that it performs similar to the commercial 270 WSM cartridge. However, considering the NGSW program remains under DOT&E oversight for the LFT&E portion of testing, we may learn more in the future.

Until then, NGSW remains a fast track program that has fielded over half of its basis of issue plan.

Posted in Acquisition, Advertiser, Ammo, Optics, weapons | 6 Comments »

NSWC Crane’s New Low-Cost, ‘Drone Killer Cartridge’ Achieves 92-Percent Kill Rate in Demonstration Event

Saturday, February 21st, 2026

Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC Crane) has designed and developed the Drone Killer Cartridge (DKC), a new and cost-effective family of ammunition for the warfighter that increases probability of hit and kill against drone threats while inherently reducing collateral damage.

“We’re enabling extended range, shotgun-style effects through automatic rifles and machine guns with nothing more than an ammunition change,” said Brian Hoffman, Man-Portable Weapons Chief Engineer at NSWC Crane.

DKC is an ammunition technology that disperses a cluster of projectiles upon firing—for rifles, automatic rifles, and machine guns—with far greater range than a conventional shotgun. These effects increase the probability of hit and kill against Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) threats in a way that also reduces the risk of collateral damage for any projectiles that don’t impact the target. During a recent demonstration at Camp Atterbury in Edinburgh, Indiana, DKC achieved a 92% success rate against drone targets.

Col. Andrew Konicki, Program Manager of Ground Based Air Defense for Program Executive Officer Land Systems, said the Marine Corps plans to broadly leverage DKC for its enhanced capabilities and implement at the operator-level.

“The Drone Killer Cartridge represents a pivotal shift in countering the pervasive threat of enemy drones,” said Col. Konicki. “This type of ammunition provides an immediate and significant improvement to our kinetic kill capabilities by using standard-issued weapons that are already in the hands of Marines. The collaborative work between NSWC Crane and the Marine Corps has positive impacts across the ecosystem of Homeland Defense as well as self-protection for our forward deployed troops in harm’s way. With DKC, we are adding capability well beyond conventional options, while also bending the cost curve for neutralizing drone threats, particularly to the individual Marine. Crucially, its design reduces the risk of collateral damage, making it a dominant and urgently needed solution that will fundamentally change the fight for every Marine.”

Unmanned systems are reshaping tactics, challenging established operations, and creating life-threatening threats for warfighters globally. To counter this rapidly evolving and critical threat, the Department is aiming to improve overall defense capabilities.

“By design, DKC provides broader terminal coverage on and around the intended target, which increases effectiveness against stationary and moving drones by helping offset imperfect aim,” said Hoffman. “There’s a good reason why bird hunters use shotguns. We’ve applied a similar philosophy to killing drones while amplifying overall performance. DKC sub-projectiles exit the barrel at velocities typical of centerfire rifle ammunition. Those velocities, and associated energies, far exceed shotgun capabilities and serve to extend effective range while offering more devastating effects on target.”

DKC technology provides an improved defense capability at an affordable price, ensuring versatility for end-users with rapid integration for a variety of mission sets. Engineers and technicians developed DKC from internal NSWC Crane Naval Innovative Science and Engineering (NISE) funding and Department of Homeland Security and Marine Corps investment. Because use of DKC involves only an ammunition change, timeline to initial fielding can be accelerated as it does not require qualification of a new weapon system. As a beneficial side effect of that approach, DKC eliminates the need for warfighters to carry excess weight of an additional weapon dedicated to countering drones.

“When you compare the cost it takes to kill a drone using DKC versus some other solutions that are being employed, it’s a night-and-day difference,” said Hoffman. “The projectiles used in segmented DKC and pelletized DKC are both inert, meaning there is no energetic material in the projectile itself. The separation mechanisms are purely mechanical, and the cartridge case, primer, and propellant are common to other ammunition types already in production. These attributes combine to help keep it elegantly simple yet effective while ensuring low-cost producibility.”

All DKC products are NSWC Crane-designed and U.S. Government-owned intellectual property (IP) with U.S. nonprovisional utility patent applications and Patent Cooperative Treaty applications on file. The DKC family includes both Pelletized and Segmented product options. There is functional overlap between the two, though each type maintains unique priority rankings for effective range, target area coverage, suppressor compatibility, and cost. Segmented DKC includes a one-piece projectile that mechanically self-separates into discrete, spin-stabilized sub-projectiles prior to muzzle exit whereas Pelletized DKC includes a projectile assembly containing a stack of high-density, spherical buckshot-sized pellets that are mechanically disbursed at muzzle exit.

Hoffman said the technology enables the end-user to quickly dispatch UAS threats.

“The intent with our ammunition was to simply give operators a better chance of killing drones with cost-effective products that can be used in existing weapons. If you aren’t the world’s best shot or don’t have a lot of experience engaging aerial targets, your odds go up immediately with DKC. As a bonus and since these products are already mature, you won’t have to wait years for product development in order to access DKC and put it to good use.

Hoffman said the DKC team and NSWC Crane family are excited and motivated to fast-track these products to the field and fleet to help meet urgent needs – not just for the Navy, Marine Corps, and DHS – but for the other U.S. Military Services, Government Agencies, and select foreign partners.

“The demand signal for DKC is increasing dramatically given the current threat environment and the more we socialize these products and the technology,” said Hoffman. “There are obvious reasons why it resonates with military operators and Counter-UAS stakeholders who understand the urgent need. DKC is effective, it’s affordable, and it can be used immediately with weapons that are already in service.”

To view some footage of drone kills using DKC, high-speed video of the sub-projectiles as they exit the barrel, and additional introductory content.

The Drone Killer Cartridge technology is available for licensing to commercial ammunition and defense manufacturing partners. Initially designed for military applications, there also are applications for home defense, personal protection, and hunting. To learn more about the IP and licensing opportunity, please visit TechLink.

Posted in Ammo, C-UAS, Guest Post | 1 Comment »

Rheinmetall Framework Agreement with NATO Procurement Agency for 120mm Tank Ammunition – Initial Order Worth Around €200 Million

Monday, February 16th, 2026

Rheinmetall is further expanding its role as a leading manufacturer of 120mm tank ammunition. The NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) has called off its first batch of ammunition, worth around €200 million, under a 2025 framework agreement for 120mm ammunition, a contract of substantial scope and value. The end customers are various NATO countries.

The ‘Basic Contractual Instrument’ (BCI) signed with NSPA in July 2025 defines the terms and conditions as well as all technical specifications for various types of 120mm tank ammunition. NATO and NATO-equivalent members can use the framework agreement to simplify the procurement of Rheinmetall ammunition. They can order the ammunition directly from the NSPA. This significantly simplifies the procurement of 120mm tank ammunition within the Atlantic Alliance. Rheinmetall can thus further expand its role as a leading supplier of 120 mm tank ammunition.

Used in the field by many nations since 1980, Rheinmetall’s 120mm smoothbore technology has become the established main battle tank armament within the armed forces of Germany, NATO and other allied nations worldwide. It is the standard system on the Leopard 2 and M1 Abrams main battle tanks. Due to their superior performance and still available power reserves, Rheinmetall can continue to offer innovative and threat-appropriate technical solutions in the caliber 120mm in the medium term.

Posted in Ammo, Contracts, International, NSPA, Press Release | No Comments »

Army Transforms Acquisition Process to Enhance Ammunition Support for Warfighters

Thursday, February 5th, 2026

PICATINNY ARSENAL, N.J. – The U.S. Army has established the Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Agile Sustainment and Ammunition, PAE AS&A, at Picatinny Arsenal under the command of Maj. Gen. John T. Reim. The move is a key part of broader Continuous Transformation efforts intended to increase efficiency and accelerate the delivery of critical capabilities to the warfighter.

The new organization was activated at a ceremony held on January 20 at Picatinny Arsenal where several thousand team members from all involved organizations were introduced to the new command. The Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology, the Honorable Brent Ingraham, presided over the ceremony and spoke to the significance of the new organization as a key part of the Army’s Acquisition reform initiative.

Following the ceremony, Ingraham witnessed a live demonstration featuring the Purpose Built Attritable System and a TRV-150 drone dropping smoke and a M69 training grenade onto a target simulating a small group of enemy Soldiers with a vehicle. This showed off one of DEVCOM’s latest innovations, the Picatinny Common Lethality Integration Kit or Picatinny CLIK. These are just a few of the of lethal UAS and counter-UAS technologies being developed by U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center. The DEVCOM Armaments Center now serves as the Systems Center, a key enabler, of the PAE AS&A.

Subject matter experts from the PAE AS&A and DEVCOM Armaments Center then also briefed Ingraham on other lethal UAS, counter-UAS munitions, advanced artillery, next-gen energetics, expeditionary logistics and supply chain enabling systems that are the result of joint efforts of the two Picatinny based organizations.

“This marks a significant milestone in our journey to modernize Army Acquisition,” Ingraham said as he addressed the audience. “We are combining the capabilities of the Joint Program Executive Office for Armaments and Ammunition with critical combat logistic capabilities from PEO Combat Support and Combat Support Services to ensure fully capability alignment under our new structure.”

“Today we turn the page to an exciting new chapter in Army Acquisition,” Ingraham continued. “Every role in the organization plays an invaluable part in this journey. Cross organization engagement and agility are essential in ensuring the success of this transition. The future of Army Acquisition is bright and PAE AS&A is poised to lead the way.”

Ingraham’s visit underscored the installation’s vital role the various commands at Picatinny Arsenal play in maintaining readiness — delivering the capabilities, expertise, and innovation that ensures our Warfighters and allies are equipped to succeed in any environment.

“As we embark on this journey, we align our actions with the strategic guidance provided by our leadership including the President of the United States, the Secretary of War, the Secretary of the Army and the Chief of Staff of the Army,” said Reim who followed Ingraham. “This initiative is not merely a restructuring of our acquisition processes. It is a fundamental rethinking of how we approach the delivery of capabilities to our Soldiers, our joint warfighters, and our international partners.”

Legacies of Excellence

The Army is fundamentally restructuring its acquisition process to prioritize speed and efficiency over traditional approaches. As part of this initiative, the Army is establishing six Portfolio Acquisition Executives with increased focus on capabilities over specific programs.

The transformation includes the integration of the former Program Executive Office Combat Support and Combat Service Support, PEO CS&CSS, into the Capability Program Executive for Combat Logistics, CPE CL, led by Brig. Gen. Camilla White. PEO CS&CSS brings an unmatched history of logistics and sustainment support to the new CPE CL. It encompasses more than 200 programs spanning the Army’s transportation, ordnance, quartermaster, engineer, and training equipment portfolios.

As the CPE CL, it will continue to develop and deliver modernized tactical wheeled vehicles, engineering equipment, watercraft, power generation systems, and other force sustainment capabilities to Army, Joint, and global partners.

At the same time, the Joint Program Executive Office for Armaments and Ammunition, JPEO A&A, will realign into the Capability Program Executive for Ammunition & Energetics, CPE A&E, led by Col. Jason Bohannon. JPEO A&A has consistently delivered innovative acquisition solutions to provide Joint Warfighters and allied partners with overmatch capabilities. The JPEO was comprised of four project offices covering Combat Ammunition Systems, Close Combat Systems, Maneuver Ammunition Systems and Joint Services.

As the CPE A&E, it retains responsibility for life-cycle acquisition management of all conventional ammunition, which includes integrating budgets, acquisition strategies, research and development and life-cycle management across all ammunition families.

CPE CL will be headquartered at Detroit Arsenal, Michigan, while CPE A&E will remain at Picatinny Arsenal. Unlike the previous Program Executive Offices, each PAE will have comprehensive responsibilities and accountability for managing the full spectrum of acquisition activities, including requirements development, technology maturation, product development, testing, contracting, fielding, sustainment, and international sales. This flattened acquisition system empowers PAEs to make timely, risk-based decisions and accelerates capability delivery to Warfighters through problem-focused requirements, smarter contracts, informed risks, and faster pivots.

“This restructure achieves unity of command by establishing and empowering PAE AS&A with the full authority to direct research and development, prototyping, testing, production, and sustainment,” said Reim. “By prioritizing outcomes over processes, this new construct empowers us to award contracts faster by cutting through bureaucracy. Overall, this approach unburdens the acquisition enterprise and allows us to deliver warfighting capabilities at speed and scale.”

Accelerating Ammunition Acquisitions

Under the leadership of Maj. Gen. Reim, PAE AS&A will oversee an entire capability area including all conventional ammunition requirements including direct and indirect fire ammunition, close combat systems, explosives, and pyrotechnics, in addition to logistics, fielding, and sustainment. PAE AS&A will have oversight of the organic munition production facilities.

Maj. Gen. Sean Davis will serve as the new Deputy Portfolio Acquisition Executive adding the sustainment capabilities of the Army’s Combined Arms Support Command, CASCOM to PAE AS&A. CASCOM trains and develops adaptive Sustainment professionals for the total force while integrating innovative Army and Joint Sustainment capabilities, concepts and doctrine to sustain large scale combat operations in a multi-domain operations environment. It is also a part of Transformation and Training Command and is located at Fort Lee, Virginia. PAE AS&A is committed to supporting the warfighter through an innovative approach to ammunition acquisition and sustainment that leverages existing authorities to deliver tangible benefits, including accelerated capability delivery, smarter contracts, and informed risk management.

In addition to the two new CPEs, PAE AS&A will oversee multiple acquisition enablers including senior contracting officials, a test and evaluation integrator, the Sustainment Future Capability Directorate and the system center lead overseeing coordination among Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Centers. The PAE AS&A System Center Lead is Chris J. Grassano, the firector of the DEVCOM Armaments Center. The new structure will enable holistic management of conventional ammunition development, production and sustainment under a single command resulting in increased efficiencies and accelerated delivery of lethality aligned with the emerging Army Warfighting Concept.

Looking Ahead

In conjunction with this reform, the Army is investing $1.1 billion per year to overhaul depots, arsenals, and ammunition plants that produce and sustain Army equipment. This commitment will not only modernize facilities but also strengthen the defense supply chain and create jobs.

For industry partners, these reforms will mean faster contracts, clearer points of entry, and fewer bureaucratic hurdles. Soldiers will benefit from receiving new capabilities, such as drones, long-range fires, and next-generation command and control systems, years faster than before.

By Michael Chambers and Eric Kowal

Posted in Ammo, Army, Guest Post | No Comments »

Denmark Commissions Rheinmetall to Supply Ammunition – Initial Orders Under Framework Agreement Worth Hundreds of Millions of Euros

Tuesday, February 3rd, 2026

Rheinmetall has been commissioned by Denmark, a member of the EU and NATO, to supply ammunition. The signing of a large-volume framework agreement was marked by a ceremony on 30 January 2026. The agreement has a term of seven years. It covers the supply of several types of ammunition. These include medium-calibre ammunition for infantry fighting vehicles and self-propelled anti-aircraft guns, 120 mm ammunition for main battle tanks and 155 mm ammunition for artillery.The first orders in the medium-calibre ammunition sector include various types of cartridges in 30 mm x 173 and 35 mm x 228 calibres. The total number is in the high five-digit range, with the order value in the low three-digit million euro range.In the area of 120 mm tank ammunition, Rheinmetall will supply over 1,000 rounds of kinetic-energy ammunition. The order value is in the high single-digit million euro range.”We are grateful for the trust Denmark has placed in us for its ammunition supply,” said Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall AG. “Rheinmetall sees this as confirmation of its role as one of the world’s leading ammunition manufacturers.”

Posted in Ammo, Contracts, International, Press Release | No Comments »

The Army and AMTEC Unveil New Production Line and Testing Range in Wisconsin

Saturday, January 31st, 2026

JANESVILLE, WI — In the latest effort to modernize the Defense Industrial Base (DIB), the Army has partnered with AMTEC Corporation to open a new 40mm grenade production line and test range at AMTEC’s Janesville, WI facility. This is another milestone in the Army’s ongoing campaign of industrial expansion and modernization of munitions production for the Joint force.

The ribbon cutting ceremony was held on January 22 with Maj. Gen. John T. Reim, Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Agile Sustainment and Ammunition and Commanding General of Picatinny Arsenal, Mr. Mark Nielsen, Veterans and Military Affairs Constituent Services Representative for Wisconsin Senator Ronald Johnson, and Ms. Susie Liston, District Director for Wisconsin Congressman Bryan Steil in attendance. Following the ribbon cutting, AMTEC executives walked the guests through the capabilities of the new line as they toured the production facility and the test range.

The grand opening of AMTEC’s new indoor 200m test range and the 72,000-square-foot manufacturing facility that houses the new, state-of-the-art 40mm M918E2 production line is the latest in a string of new facilities coming online as the Army continues to increase munitions production capacity and safety through modernization. The Army has invested $21M to open the new production line.

“The new line brings much-needed automation and flexibility as the manufacturing process shifts from a highly artisan process to an automated, high-volume production process,” said Reim. “Since 2022, $5.5B has been pushed into the DIB making it the largest investment in infrastructure and munitions production since World War II. This is the 11th new facility that the Army has stood up demonstrating our commitment to increasing production capacity, modernizing equipment and facilities, and improving safety and efficiency by deploying advanced manufacturing technologies.”

The M918E2 High Velocity Target Practice – Day Night Thermal (HV TP-DNT) cartridge provides Warfighters with a safer and more reliable cartridge that allows them the ability to maneuver during training in more realistic “Train as they Fight” scenarios. The new training cartridge is non-dud producing, meaning troops can now safely move across areas that once posed an unexploded ordnance (UXO) hazard. It also provides a day, night, and thermal visible impact signature that can be seen by the unaided eye, and thermal and night vision sights.

AMTEC will also realize cost savings and efficiency improvements with their new on-site test range. Previously, the company tested rounds at a nearby police test range, which required expensive satellite tasking and protection. The new test range accommodates the MK19, M203, and M320 weapon system platforms familiar to the 40mm portfolio. The test range will enhance precision testing capabilities for medium-caliber munitions, supporting quality assurance, rapid prototyping, and delivery of reliable munitions to U.S. Army and international allies.

“This investment provides a trifecta for the Army: advanced manufacturing capability, safety, and a modernized round that allows units to train as they fight,” said Reim.

A subsidiary of National Defense Corporation, AMTEC serves as the Department of War’s prime contractor for 40mm grenade ammunition and fuzing systems. AMTEC is a long-time partner and the largest manufacturer of 40mm ammunition in the world.

By Michael Chambers

Posted in Ammo, Army, Guest Post, Manufacturing | Comments Off on The Army and AMTEC Unveil New Production Line and Testing Range in Wisconsin