Federal Premium Wins $20 Million U.S. Navy Contract

by
posted on February 16, 2018
federal-premium-logo-f.jpg

Federal Premium won a five-year contract worth up to $20 million from the U.S. Naval Surface Warfare Center-Crane Division, operated under the U.S. Navy’s Naval Sea Systems Command. Terms of the agreement begin this year for the delivery of .40-caliber frangible training rounds employing Federal Premium’s lead-free Catalyst high-performance primer.

“We’re proud the U.S. Navy for this important contract,” said Jason Nash, Federal Premium senior director of marketing. “Our Catalyst lead-free priming technology is a major breakthrough and we’re excited to see it used by those that protect our freedom.”

Unlike other lead-free primers, clean-burning Catalyst is not hygroscopic, so it won’t absorb the ignition-inhibiting moisture that produces less-than-reliable ignition. In addition, it fuels a more efficient powder burn, improving bullet velocity consistency.

As for the projectile, Federal Premium isn’t a newcomer to frangible bullets. Its Ballistclean line for recreational shooters appeared in 2011.

Although there’s no official word if a consumer version is or will be available, Federal Premium’s Syntech American Eagle family of cartridges employs the same efficient primer. Although also ideally suited for training, the bullet has a solid lead core—unlike the frangible ammo ordered by Naval Surface Warfare. The Total Synthetic Jacket bullets (TSJ) minimize metal-to-metal contact in the barrel—thereby decreasing fouling and subsequent cleaning required—and the projectile doesn’t wear a copper jacket, a move that reduces splash-back when engaging metal targets. Loads include 115-grain 9 mm, 165-grains in .40 S&W and 230 in .45 ACP.

The Federal Premium Action Pistol cartridges announced at the 2018 SHOT Show also use the same primer, although its performance may be slightly closer to military requirements. “It features the same TSJ, but is loaded to competition power-factory requirements,” said Federal Premium Handgun Ammunition Design Engineer John Swenson. “Its heavy, flatter-nose bullets provide more reliable knock-downs on steel targets in competition and drastically reduce splash-back.” It’s also available in 9 mm, .40 S&W and .45 ACP.

Latest

Savage Arms 320 FDE
Savage Arms 320 FDE

First Look: Savage Arms 320 FDE Tactical Shotgun

A new option for a workhorse tactical shotgun.

Kimber Announces KDS9c Redemption Promotion

Customize your pistol right from the factory.

Fightin' Iron: Johnson LMGs For Airborne Marines?

The Johnson Light Machine Gun showed up in a number of surprising places, like in Italy in 1944 with select elite units.

First Look: Galco UnderWraps Elite Belly Band

Carry your defensive firearm when you can't carry in a conventional manner.

Keeping The Proper Perspective

A firearm is only part of the defensive lifestyle.

New 2011 and 1911 Pistols for 2024

The double-stack 1911 bandwagon keeps rolling right along.

Interests



Get the best of Shooting Illustrated delivered to your inbox.