General Dynamics [GD] Ordnance and Tactical Systems said that it has been recently awarded a $35.6 million contract for the production and delivery of 30mm M789 High Explosive Dual Purpose (HEDP) ammunition cartridges, the primary tactical round of the Apache AH-64 helicopter, from the Army.
Work will be performed at the company’s Marion, Ill., operations.
In 2010, the Army awarded General Dynamics a contract to establish a new, fully independent manufacturing capability for the M789 ammunition to meet the growing needs for the Apache combat round. This state-of-the-art production line was successfully completed ahead of schedule and completed First Article testing earlier in 2011. The new production line, and its independent supplier base, eliminates the potential of a single-point of production failure.
“This new M789 line provides our customer with a vital resource at a critical time of growing operational demands. Standing up this production line in concert with our supplier base was a significant challenge that we are extremely proud to have successfully accomplished ahead of schedule,” said Tim McAuliffe, vice president and general manager of medium caliber ammunition for General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems.
General Dynamics added that it was also recently awarded a $13 million contract by the same customer for the production and delivery of the 30mm M788 Training Practice (TP) cartridge. The 30mm M788 is the low-cost target practice cartridge, ballistically matched to the 30mm M789 combat round. Both rounds are used in the M230 chain gun.