Single Advanced Multi-Purpose Round Gives Abrams Main Battle Tank the
Capability of Four Existing Munitions
DULLES, Va.Oct. 8, 2015--
Orbital ATK (NYSE: OA), a global leader in aerospace and defense
technologies, announced today that the company was awarded a $16 million
contract with options for the first phase of development for the 120mm
Advanced Multi-Purpose (AMP), XM1147 High Explosive Multi-Purpose with
Tracer cartridge. This new tank ammunition will provide Abrams Main
Battle Tank crews a multi-purpose round that replaces four existing
rounds, giving greater mission flexibility and main-gun capability
through a single munition for multiple engagement scenarios.
Orbital ATK qualified the current multi-purpose round for the Abrams tank. When development is complete, the Advanced Multi-Purpose cartridge will provide a next-generation tactical capability for U.S. tank crews. (Photo: Business Wire)
AMP provides bunker and light-armor defeat, obstacle reduction and
dismount engagement. Additionally, the round provides tank crews with an
added capability to breach reinforced walls, and engage anti-tank crews
and dismounts at ranges up to 2,000 meters.
Our ammunition innovations like advanced kinetic energy penetrators and
airbursting munitions are providing combat overmatch for our warfighters
which is our company s mission, said Dan Olson, Vice President and
General Manager for Orbital ATK s Armament Systems division of the
Defense Systems Group. Our ability to innovate comes from a long
history of creating new capabilities for existing systems through our
expertise in fuzing, warheads and platform integration.
Earlier this year, Orbital ATK and the U.S. Army completed qualification
for the M829E4, creating the Army's fifth generation, 120mm kinetic
energy round that features a penetrator capable of defeating all modern
armor protection suites as well as future armor protection concepts.
Orbital ATK has successfully type-classified 11 of the 13 current 120mm
tactical and training rounds for the Abrams tank during more than 30
years of experience partnering with the U.S. Army to provide the
warfighter with advanced ammunition types.
Since 1980, Orbital ATK has delivered more than 4 million rounds of
120mm tactical and training tank ammunition to the U.S. Army, U.S.
Marine Corps, and allied militaries. Through its proven, system-level
contracting approach that reduces risk to the customer, Orbital ATK has
delivered a constant supply of consistently reliable and affordable
120mm ammunition.
Orbital ATK s Defense Systems Group is an industry leader in providing
innovative and affordable precision and strike weapons, advanced
propulsion and hypersonics, missile components across air-, sea- and
land-based systems, ammunition and related energetic products.
About Orbital ATK
Orbital ATK is a global leader in aerospace and defense technologies.
The company designs, builds and delivers space, defense and aviation
systems for customers around the world, both as a prime contractor and
merchant supplier. Its main products include launch vehicles and related
propulsion systems; missile products, subsystems and defense
electronics; precision weapons, armament systems and ammunition;
satellites and associated space components and services; and advanced
aerospace structures. Headquartered in Dulles, Virginia, Orbital ATK
employs more than 12,000 people in 18 states across the U.S. and in
several international locations. For more information, visit www.orbitalatk.com.
Source: Orbital ATK
Orbital ATK
Media Contact:
Bryan Kidder, 410-864-4932
Defense
Systems Group Communications
bryan.kidder@orbitalatk.com
or
Investor
Contact:
Barron Beneski, 703-406-5528
Public and Investor
Relations
barron.beneski@orbitalatk.com