Small Arms & Landing Party Ammo

The Small Arms & Landing Party Ammunition (LI 0335) program is a critical Navy procurement initiative focused on acquiring ammunition for Navy ships and active and reserve ashore warfare forces. The program's primary objective is to ensure that Navy personnel, including those in specialized commands such as the Naval Expeditionary Combat Command, Maritime Force Protection Command, Military Sea Lift Command, Marine and Navy Air-Wings, and Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), have reliable access to a full spectrum of small arms ammunition (ranging from .22 to .50 caliber), hand grenades, riot control agents, and defensive land mines. This ammunition supports both operational readiness and training requirements across the fleet.

Integrated Warfare Systems is the largest subcomponent within LI 0335, encompassing the procurement of standard small arms ammunition types such as 5.56mm, 7.62mm, 9mm, .50 caliber, and 12 gauge shotgun shells. The goals here are to maintain sufficient inventory levels for all active Navy ships and shore-based forces, enabling effective training, force protection, and operational capability. The program also funds production engineering and gauge requirements to ensure ammunition meets safety and performance standards, as mandated by DoD and Navy acquisition regulations. Procurement is managed through contracts with major suppliers and coordinated by the Joint Munitions Command.

Naval Special Warfare (NSW) is a distinct line item supporting the unique ammunition needs of Navy SEALs, Special Boat Teams, NSW Task Units/Groups, and support elements. The objective is to provide specialized ammunition for organic weapon systems, including enhanced performance rounds for rifles, machine guns, shotguns, and grenades. NSW ammunition procurement includes both standard and non-standard types, such as frangible, barrier, and match-grade cartridges, tailored to the tactical requirements of special operations forces. The program also funds product improvement efforts to address legacy capability gaps and maintain commonality with other services, particularly the USMC and Army.

The Ukraine and Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations in FY 2024 and FY 2025 resulted in significant increases in ammunition procurement quantities, particularly for 5.56mm, 7.62mm, and .50 caliber rounds. These supplemental funds were used to replenish Navy stocks following transfers to allied partners, ensuring that readiness levels were not adversely affected. Additional quantities for 7.62mm and .50 caliber ammunition were included in subsequent fiscal years. This rapid replenishment capability is a key objective of the program, supporting both national defense and allied commitments.

Product Improvement, Non-Standard Items, and Engineering Support are additional objectives within LI 0335. The program invests in engineering services to extend the useful life of ammunition, qualify replacement variants, and conduct safety reviews such as Surface Danger Zone testing. Non-standard items include law enforcement ammunition for NCIS and initial procurements of training aids and new munition types. Production engineering ensures that new and in-production ammunition meets evolving safety, reliability, and performance requirements, supporting both operational and training needs.

Gauge Requirements and Renovation Components are funded to maintain ammunition quality and compatibility with Navy weapon systems. Gauges and test equipment are procured to check critical dimensions and parameters, ensuring proper mating of ammunition with guns and reliable performance. Renovation components support the refurbishment of existing stocks, extending their service life and maintaining readiness without the need for full replacement.