The U.S. Army has awarded Winchester, the largest manufacturer of small-caliber ammunition for the U.S. military, with a $9 million cost-plus contract to complete a manufacturing study in support of tracer projectile production for the 6.8 mm Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW) program. Work will be performed at the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant (LCAAP) in Independence, MO—the United States’ only government-owned, contractor-operated small-caliber ammunition facility. It has been managed by Winchester since late 2020.

“Winchester is very excited to begin executing this critical 6.8 mm NGSW trace ammunition study at the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant,” said Brett Flaugher, president of Winchester. “With the goal of improving Soldier capability, this groundbreaking work will utilize new tracer technology to create robust production processes and enable the transition of prototype trace technology into fielded NGSW tracer ammunition. This NGSW tracer ammunition produced at Lake City will equip the future American Warfighter and help maintain the safety and defense of our nation.”

Winchester has landed a variety of new contracts this year, including June’s Department of Defense addition of $51.8 million to a previous agreement for 5.56 mm NATO, 7.62 mm NATO and .50 BMG. In April the firm landed the job of producing handgun ammunition, 9 mm NATO, .38 Spl. and .45 ACP, for the U.S. Army. A large number of law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, issues Winchester ammunition to officers.

LCAAP began production in 1941and provides small-caliber military ammunition for both training and combat purposes. The plant, encompassing nearly 4,000 acres, also serves as a national test center for ammunition performance and weapons firing.

Winchester, celebrating its 156th anniversary this year, is the largest small-caliber ammunition enterprise in the world and the leader in delivering innovative ammunition products to hunters, sport shooters, law enforcement and the U.S. Warfighter.

Article by GUY J. SAGI