Senator Byrd Announces Army Contract Award to Alliant Techsystems

September 15, 2009 -- Washington, DC – Senator Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., today announced the award of a $9.7 million Department of the Army contract to Alliant Techsystems (ATK) located at the Allegany Ballistics Laboratory (ABL) in Rocket Center. The monies will be used for the continued production of fuses for the M-228 Practice Grenade. The practice grenade simulates the performance of the lethal hand grenade, including weight and fuse function to provide the soldier with realistic training in a safe environment.

Production of the fuses at ABL began in May 2006 and has continued since that time as the original contract included options for an additional three years of follow-on production. ABL has delivered over 7.5 million fuses since production began. The program employs fifty (50) full-time people.

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“The awarding of these additional funds by the Department of the Army is a testament to the quality work that is being performed by ATK and helping to ensure that those on the front lines of combat have the necessary tools to keep them safe and the ability to take their combatants head-on,” said Byrd. In addition, the extension of this contract keeps West Virginians on the production line during this economic downturn and that is good news for all.”

Byrd has been a major force in providing funding for an ABL Facility Restoration Program over the past 24 years. Keith Funkhouser, ABL’s Vice President and General Manager has credited Byrd’s efforts to reinvigorate the ABL facilities as a major factor in giving ATK the capability to successfully compete for the Army contract. The Restoration Program provides modern, safe, and highly efficient facilities and increases ABL’s capabilities to service the warfighter with high quality products at competitive prices.

Since 1985, Byrd has secured approximately $401 million toward the ABL Facility Restoration Program through the annual Department of Defense Appropriations bills. Byrd is the senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense.

Source: Senator Robert C. Byrd