Alliant Techsystems (ATK) has received orders totaling $372 million to produce 5.56mm, 7.62mm and .50-caliber ammunition for the U.S. Army Contracting Command in Rock Island, Ill., according to the company.

This is the first significant order in the second year of a four-year contract, with additional orders expected during this fiscal year. ATK operates the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant (LCAAP) in Independence, Mo., where the rounds will be produced.

During the 10 years it has operated the plant, ATK has delivered more than 10 billion rounds of ammunition to the U.S. Army for use by all the military services, while executing a $242 million modernization project to ensure the LCAAP remains a viable national asset.

"ATK has demonstrated the capability to support the tremendous increase in demand, while in parallel, modernizing the facility," said Mark Hissong, vice president and general manager of ATK Small Caliber Systems. "Our daily focus on continuous improvement in all of our processes has resulted in the world's best small caliber ammunition and a facility that will support the warfighter for years to come."