ATK recently achieved a world-class production milestone by delivering the 2 billionth 7.62mm round of ammunition manufactured at the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant (LCAAP) in Independence, Missouri. Since assumption of LCAAP manufacturing operations in 2000, ATK has increased the production rate for 7.62mm ammunition fivefold in direct support of US Army requirements.

ATK, the world’s largest supplier of ammunition, has established a proven record of success in managing and modernising the Department of Defense’s primary source for military small-calibre rifle ammunition.

“I am very proud of what ATK has delivered for the US Army while being entrusted with our stewardship responsibility to safely and efficiently operate LCAAP. We value our commitment to deliver a lean, scalable and sustainable capability that will serve the needs of our nation for years to come,” said Mike Kahn, President of ATK Defense. “We take to heart that the lives of our warfighters depend on the quality of each and every round we produce at this government-owned facility. We are honoured with this responsibility.”

In partnership with the US Army, ATK successfully implemented a complex expansion and modernisation programme at LCAAP that resulted in increasing plant production from 374 million to more than 1.6 billion rounds annually. This includes high-volume deliveries of the US Army’s M855A1 Enhanced Performance Round (EPR) on modernised equipment. The EPR is an enhanced version of the M855 5.56mm cartridge and offers a significant breakthrough in ammunition performance for America’s warfighters. ATK has delivered more than 350 million M855A1 rounds since transitioning to production in 2010.

ATK implemented a unique lean manufacturing system that focuses on maximising efficiencies through a continuous improvement based culture that targets the elimination of waste. ATK also initiated a system that employs cellular manufacturing processes, integrated enterprise information systems, and advanced material handling capabilities designed to enhance production efficiencies and throughput.

ATK received recent orders totaling $131 million for small-calibre ammunition under an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract with the US Army Contracting Command, Rock Island.