Winchester, the largest manufacturer of small-caliber ammunition for the U.S. military, was recently awarded a $13 million contract for the development of manufacturing processes for the 7.62 NATO cartridge. “Winchester is extremely proud to have been awarded this military ammunition manufacturing development project,” said Brett Flaugher, president of Winchester Ammunition. “Our entire Lake City team is honored and wholly committed to supporting the U.S. Warfighter.”
Work will be performed at the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant (LCAAP) in Independence, MO, the United States’ only government-owned, contractor-operated small-caliber ammunition production facility. This project was awarded under Winchester’s $8 billion contract to operate LCAAP.
Winchester took over operational control of LCAAP, which is located on 3,935 acres near Independence, MO, in October 2020. Fourteen days later semis had already rolled out off the factory loaded with 5.56 NATO and .50 BMG cartridges.
“This is an important milestone for Winchester, our first shipment to the U.S. government after just assuming management and operational control of Lake City,” Flaugher said at the time. “Our ability to execute through this transition process and make our first delivery within two weeks is a testament to our dedicated work force.” The plant also produces 7.62 NATO and 20 mm loads, as well as small arms components for military use.
LCAAP was originally established in 1940 to help meet the ammunition demand of World War II. By1941 the facility and production was managed by Remington staff, but in 1985 Olin Corporation took over supervisory duties. Alliant Technosystems claimed the helm in 2001, but Winchester—now in its 155th year of operation and 91st under the Olin corporate umbrella—is again managing operations at the strategically critical plant. The roughly 2,000 staff members working there produce more than two billion cartridges at the facility each year.
