General Dynamics wins $33m 30mm PGU-13 cartridge contract

General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics, has been awarded a $32.5 million contract for 30mm ammunition by the US Army Contracting Command in Rock Island, Ill. The award consists of a mixture of new production of PGU-13 D/B cartridges and the remanufacture of existing US Air Force inventory of PGU-13 HEI cartridges.

The PGU-13 is a high-explosive incendiary (HEI) round, predominately used in air-to-ground and close-air support by the Air Force's A-10 Thunderbolt attack aircraft. Fired from the A-10's 30mm GAU-8 Avenger cannon, the PGU-13 provides incendiary effects against an array of targets. The ammunition has been extensively used in operations in both Iraq and Afghanistan.

"The PGU-13 has been widely used in combat operations since Desert Storm, demonstrating excellent performance and reliability with A-10's cannon," said Tim McAuliffe, vice president and general manager of medium-caliber ammunition. "This is the first production of the PGU-13 in over 20 years to replenish critical levels in the Air Force's inventory."

Work will be performed in Marion, Ill., with an estimated completion date of July 2012.

General Dynamics is the only US manufacturer that can produce all three rounds in the 30mm x 173 ammunition family. Along with the PGU-13, the family consists of the PGU-14/B API and PGU-15/B TP that provide armor penetration and training capability, respectively, to the Air Force.

Source: General Dynamics

Follow Shephard News on Twitter