There have been some bad actors spreading rumors that LCAAP is cancelling commercial production contracts for ammunition.
Yesterday, they posted a very simple and to the point clarification to Facebook; the rumors are false.
Archive for the ‘Ammo’ Category
No, Lake City Army Ammunition Plant Isn’t Cancelling Commercial Contracts
Wednesday, November 1st, 2023American Rheinmetall Supports Successful Test of M109 Self-Propelled Howitzer Modified with Rheinmetall’s Combat-Tested 52-Caliber Cannon
Thursday, October 19th, 2023Rheinmetall and BAE Systems have successfully completed a live fire test of the M109 Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH) modified with Rheinmetall’s L52 155mm, 52-caliber cannon. The M109-52 is a significant, low-risk, high-performance upgrade to the current 39-caliber cannon and provides additional range required in large-scale operations. The test, conducted at Camp Ripley, MN, proved the compatibility of the L52 cannon with the M109A7 platform during the live fire exercise.
“Integrating Rheinmetall’s world-class, battle-tested L52 artillery cannon system into the M109 platform will return tactical fires overmatch to the U.S. Army in a capability assured, timely, low-risk manner,” said Joe Chan, VP of Business Development at American Rheinmetall Munition.
Rheinmetall’s L52 artillery cannon system is currently the backbone of nine NATO and allied partner nations’ tactical artillery forces. By integrating this world class, combat proven system on the M109 platform, the US will achieve expanded interoperability on day one with battlefield partners. Notably, the cannon system has become a favorite for Ukraine due to its accuracy, range and durability in combat.
The M109-52 offers a low-risk pathway to rapid development, putting this significantly improved capability in the hands of our warfighters quickly to ensure overmatch on the battlefield. By combining two mature systems, Rheinmetall and BAE Systems avoid many of the technical risks associated with similar lethality upgrade efforts. The criticality to deliver improved artillery capabilities is underscored by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and is a key part of the Army’s number one modernization priority – long-range precision fires.
The team plans to conduct additional testing in 2024, which will highlight extended range across a variety of ammunition combinations.
NIOA Begins Boxer Ammunition Production
Thursday, October 12th, 2023NIOA has begun ammunition production for the Army’s next-generation armoured Boxer vehicle, marking a significant milestone for munitions manufacturing in Australia.
The company will produce 40,000 rounds of medium calibre training ammunition at the Commonwealth Government-owned NIOA-operated plant in Benalla, Victoria for the Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle (CRV) which is being made in Queensland by Rheinmetall.
Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy (centre) with GWEO Chief AVM Leon Phillips (left) and members of the NIOA team at the Benalla facility…and (below) the 30mm projectiles coming off the line, bound for testing in the Boxer combat vehicle’s cannon.
It comes as the Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy announced a $220 million investment in munitions production at Benalla and another government-owned contractor-operated (GOCO) factory at Mulwala in regional New South Wales.
Minister Conroy and Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) Enterprise Chief AVM Leon Phillips OAM toured NIOA’s Benalla operation last Friday (Eds: October 6) as the first batch of 30mm projectiles was being prepared to roll off the line.
A key recommendation of the Defence Strategic Review was to replenish GWEO stocks and to establish sovereign missile and munition manufacturing facilities in Australia.
“Improving Australia’s ability to manufacture the munitions our defence force needs is not only critical to meeting the strategic challenges we face as a nation, it will also support local industry and well-paid, skilled local jobs,” Minister Conroy said.
“The Mulwala and Benalla munition factories underpin Australia’s ability to develop critical propellants, explosives and munitions for the Australian Defence Force.”
NIOA Australia and New Zealand CEO Ben James welcomed the Government’s investment in domestic munitions production.
“This will further support Australia’s growing defence industrial base and comes at an exciting time as we ramp up production of the Boxer ammunition at Benalla,” he said.
“NIOA’s $12m investment at Benalla reflects our commitment to work with Government and Defence in delivering sovereign capability and local jobs.
“We have a highly qualified and professional team at Benalla who have worked exceptionally hard to reach this key milestone in sovereign munitions manufacture.”
The NIOA tenancy at Benalla maintains the Commonwealth’s capabilities for the manufacture of primary energetics, pyrotechnics, medium calibre, mortar and tank ammunition, hand grenades, fuzes, primers, along with various laboratory test facilities.
The company recently completed work recapitalising 120mm tank ammunition for the Australian Army’s M1A1 Abrams tank fleet.
NDIA Future Forces Conference 23 Poster #13 – The Vanguard Special Purpose Round
Wednesday, October 11th, 2023What good would a weapon in 5.7mm be without special ammunition to go with it? This poster from the recent Future Forces Caoabilities Conference is the perfect companion to yesterday’s installment.
Contact information is on the poster for those interested.
Second Call-Off from Rheinmetall Framework Contract: Bundeswehr Orders Artillery Ammunition
Tuesday, October 10th, 2023Rheinmetall has booked a major order for 155mm artillery ammunition following a second call-off under an existing framework order with the German government. The latter has contracted with the Düsseldorf-based tech group to supply the Ukrainian armed forces with tens of thousands of L15 rounds as well as conventional 155mm Assegai shells for the German military. The order is worth a figure in the lower three-digit million-euro range. Delivery is scheduled to take place in 2024.
As recently as July 2023, Rheinmetall announced the signing of a new framework agreement for artillery ammunition with the Bundeswehr and the expansion of an existing agreement. The contracts encompass the delivery of several hundred thousand shells, fuses and propelling charges.
The war in Ukraine has compelled the armed forces of numerous nations to replenish their ammunition stocks. In this context, Rheinmetall has already booked several large orders for artillery ammunition.
The recently concluded framework agreement for 155mm artillery ammunition runs until 2029 and represents gross potential order volume of around €1.2 billion. The first orders of service and practice ammunition came directly after the contract was signed.
Among other products, Rheinmetall’s family of artillery ammunition includes the high-explosive DM121 shell, the DM125 smoke/obscurant projectile and (jointly developed with Diehl) the DM702 SMArt sensor fuse munition, plus the RH68 practice round and the range-optimized RH1901 an RH1902 smoke/obscurant projectiles.
The Group’s portfolio also includes the versatile 155mm Assegai family from Rheinmetall Denel Munition, which encompasses insensitive ammunition and conventional HE shells as well as smoke/obscurant, illumination, infrared illumination and other projectiles. All Assegai artillery ammunition types have a maximum range of approximately 40 kilometres. Under the latest framework agreement, the tried-and-tested Assegai ammunition family will now be entering service with the Bundeswehr.
RCBS Celebrates 80 Years of Precision Reloading
Wednesday, October 4th, 2023
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – September 26, 2023 – RCBS®, the leading manufacturer of ammunition reloading equipment for rifles and pistols, is celebrating its anniversary this year, marking eight decades of equipping handloaders with trusted, American-made reloading gear.
“After 80 years of operation, RCBS is still delivering top quality reloading products backed by world class customer service,” said Justin Smith, product line manager for RCBS. “The brand has never lost the essence that Fred championed back in 1943 and the men and women in Oroville today truly do bleed green. You’ll be hard pressed to find another group who cares more about the quality of products they produce and the consumers who depend on them.”
The RCBS story began in 1943 in the backroom of Fred T. Huntington’s father’s laundry and dry-cleaning business in Oroville, California. A dedicated shooter, Huntington sought to make his own high-quality .22 caliber bullets for shooting local varmints known as rock chucks. He designed and crafted his own “Rock Chuck Bullet Swage” dies, a name later shortened to RCBS.
In the decades following becoming a business, RCBS rapidly grew from a small shop into the nation’s leading maker of reloading equipment. Now using state-of-the-art equipment in large manufacturing facilities, RCBS has stayed near its roots in Oroville.
Product manager and R&D engineer, Steve Koch, has witnessed RCBS meteoric rise firsthand. He’s been with the company for over half its lifetime and knows personally how passionate the employees are in Oroville.
“Wow, 80 years, a lot has changed. I’m very proud to say that I’ve spent 45 years at this great establishment,” said Koch. “Everyone is extremely proud of what we have here in Oroville. The pride and dedication of the people that produce, assemble and package the finest reloading equipment in the world is the key to our success. Quality is the RCBS motto, and we will continue to ensure we provide our customers with the finest reloading equipment possible.”
In honor of the brand’s 80th anniversary, RCBS will soon be introducing a limited-edition Summit™ single stage reloading press. The American-made press will feature a special red, white and blue design, and will be limited to only 1,000 pieces. Interested patrons should stay tuned to RCBS social media channels and the brand website for more information on the upcoming release date.
To learn more about the RCBS 80th anniversary, check out the special video playing on the brand’s YouTube page. For more information on RCBS products and its legacy, in the world of handloading, head over to RCBS.com.
UTM Halts Sales of Training Ammunition to Civilians Due to ATF Ruling
Wednesday, October 4th, 2023We received this announcement from UTM earlier today.
NDIA Future Forces Conference 23 Poster #7 – The 510 Grizzly No 2 Cartridge
Tuesday, October 3rd, 2023This seventh poster was presented during last week’s NDIA Future Forces Conference.
Contact info is at the bottom of the poster for thise interested in more info on this capability.
