MINNEAPOLIS --- ATK (Alliant Techsystems) announced today that it has received a $44 million contract to deliver 313 MK44 30/40mm Automatic Cannons to the Italian defense contractor Oto Melara for use by the Polish Ministry of Defense in its KTO armored vehicle program, which employs the Oto Melara turret (Hitfist) in the Patria Industries AMV 8x8 vehicle. This is the first large-scale deployment of a western-made cannon for use by a new member N.A.T.O. ally.
“ATK is proud to supply the fighting units of the Polish Army with this powerful, accurate and easy to maintain weapon system,” said Dan Murphy, ATK group vice president, Precision Systems. “The MK44 is a weapon of choice for the U.S. Marine Corps, as well as the Finnish, Swiss and Norwegian armed forces. The Polish Army will now enjoy the MK44’s significantly enhanced capabilities while achieving interchangeability and interoperability with other N.A.T.O. forces.”
The first 43 cannons will be produced by ATK Gun Systems Company in Mesa, Ariz. and the remaining cannons will be co-produced via a mutually agreed work share arrangement with Polish manufacturer Tarnow. ATK will provide Tarnow with the appropriate technical support, manufacturing expertise and hardware to meet the Polish Army requirement.
The MK44 is a next-generation, lightweight, chain gun weapon. It continues the Bushmaster tradition of excellence with its design simplicity, external power, positive round control, ease of maintenance, and constant velocity ammunition feed. The MK44 has a selectable rate of fire and dual feed system permitting utilization of multiple 30mm X 173mm ammunition types, at firing rates from single shot to 200 shots per minute.
ATK is a $2.2 billion aerospace and defense company with strong positions in propulsion, composite structures, munitions, precision capabilities, and civil and sporting ammunition. The company, which is headquartered in Edina, Minnesota, USA, employs approximately 12,000 people and has three business groups: Aerospace, Precision Systems, and Ammunition and Related Products.
-ends-
ATK to Supply 313 MK44 Cannons to Polish Army
