Army Expanding Efforts to Deploy Next-Gen Munitions

Lt. Col. Steven Power, product manager for individual weapons at the U.S. Army, said the service is working on fielding next-generation munitions during a National Defense Industrial Association event, National Defense Magazine reported Friday. 

“We will bring whoever wins this next competitive solicitation on board to produce that for us going into the future,” Power said.

Power noted that the Army has fielded over 200,000 M4A1 rifles and intends to select a manufacturer to produce the rifles under a follow-on contract in fiscal year 2020. The Army also plans to solicit proposals for a follow-on contract to produce M320 grenade launcher modules.

Col. Elliott Caggins, the Army’s product manager for soldier weapons, added that the service wants to leverage new contracting procedures to rapidly develop and field new weapon systems. The Army is continuing its efforts to develop new weaponry through the Army Futures Command and is updating its five government-owned ammunition plants operated by contractors.