Intermediate Caliber Gun Ammunition

The Intermediate Caliber Gun Ammo program is a Navy budget line item (LI 0266) that provides for the procurement of a family of fixed 57mm ammunition for use by the United States Navy and United States Coast Guard (USCG). The primary goal of this program is to ensure the availability of intermediate caliber ammunition to support surface and air target engagement for the Navy, and to enable drug interdiction, homeland defense, and Visit, Board, Search, and Seize (VBSS) operations for the USCG. This ammunition is currently fielded on platforms such as the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) and the USCG National Security Cutter. It will also be used on future platforms including the USN Constellation-class Frigate and the USCG Offshore Patrol Cutter.

AL100 Intermediate Caliber Gun Ammunition Hardware is the core procurement component, encompassing several types of 57mm cartridges. The program prioritizes the acquisition of a proximity-fuzed round effective against both surface and aerial threats. Funding for multiple fiscal years is strategically allocated to maintain a consistent inventory of this round, ensuring operational readiness. Other rounds have had procurement suspended due to the need for design updates, with resources refocused on the proven proximity-fuzed cartridge. Practice and training rounds, including dummy and target practice variants, are also procured to support fleet training and readiness.

AL830 Production Engineering supports the technical aspects of ammunition procurement. This includes maintaining and updating technical data, conducting acceptance testing, and providing engineering support for production. The objective is to ensure that all procured ammunition meets rigorous government standards for performance and safety. Production engineering funding also addresses any technical issues that arise during manufacturing, thereby supporting the reliability and effectiveness of the ammunition supplied to the fleet.

AL850 Product Improvement is focused on addressing component obsolescence and enhancing the performance of 57mm ammunition. Funding in this area is used for research and development activities that identify and resolve issues with aging components, ensuring that the ammunition remains compatible with current and future weapon systems. Product improvement efforts are essential for sustaining long-term operational capability and adapting to evolving threats and technological advancements.

AL894 Gauge Requirements provides for the procurement of gauges, auxiliary equipment, and metrology support necessary to verify the critical dimensions and parameters of ammunition items and their parts. This ensures proper mating of ammunition with gun systems and supports consistent performance. Accurate gauging is vital for quality assurance, preventing malfunctions, and maintaining the safety and effectiveness of naval gun operations.

The program also includes funding for transportation and logistics, ensuring timely delivery of ammunition to operational units. Contract awards are made to several manufacturers, with production schedules and delivery timelines managed to meet fleet requirements. Adjustments to procurement quantities are made in response to Foreign Military Sales orders, enacted budgets, and production capacity constraints, particularly in response to increased global demand.