Rheinmetall to develop new medium caliber ammunition for US Navy

Tech company Rheinmetall, through its subsidiary American Rheinmetall Munitions based in Stafford, has received a US Navy other transaction agreement (OTA) to develop new medium caliber ammunition.

The resulting prototype system will lead to an initial operating capability for the 30mm x 173 MK 340 MOD 0 Kinetic Energy Electronically Timed (KEET) airburst munition.

The MK 340 KEET is derived from the NATO-qualified Rheinmetall 30mm x 173 Kinetic Energy Timed Fuze (KETF) cartridge currently fielded by the Australian, German, and Hungarian militaries.

The system will provide significant lethality improvements and a reduction in rounds fired due to the increased first-round hit probability.

“We are excited to deliver our next-generation lethality solutions to the U.S. Navy for the first time. This award further demonstrates American Rheinmetall’s ability to bring innovative technologies into the hands of our U.S. Joint Force,” said American Rheinmetall Munitions CEO John Somich.

The company is presently expanding its role as a major supplier of next-generation weapons and ammunition in the US.

American Rheinmetall Munitions is currently producing game-changing solutions including 40mm airburst fuzing for the U.S. Army and the PGU-48/B Frangible Armor Piercing cartridge for the US Air Force F35A Joint Strike Fighter.

The company has been producing and supplying practice and direct fire service ammunition for American military and law enforcement partners for several decades.