Black Hills Ammunition is receiving a $49.9 million contract for the delivery of 5.56mm special ball long-range ammunition over a five year period, the Department of Defense announced last week.
The contract provides for the production and delivery of the ammunition for the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan under foreign military sales, as well as deployed U.S. forces engaged in combat as part of the war on terror.
The work will be performed in Rapid City, S.D., and is expected to run until September 2022. Just over $3.5 million of the contract will fall under foreign military sales.
The ammunition is one of the standard small arms rounds used by the U.S. and many other countries. The Special Ball Long Range Mod 1 version of the ammo is designed for long range marksmanship with accuracy superior to standard ammunition.
It is designed specifically for use by special forces and designated marksmen in conventional units, providing accurate long range fire at a distance of 800 meters or more depending on the rifle used and the shooter. Designed for military use, it is also available on the civilian market.
British air force opens ground combat to women
The Royal Air Force on Friday became the first British military service to open up all roles to both men and women.
Women can now join the RAF's ground fighting force after the government lifted the ban on females serving in close combat roles.
The 2,000-strong RAF Regiment is deployed to protect bases and airfields across the world. It has sustained casualties in Afghanistan.
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