Play a Key Role in Defence Manufacturing – M82A1 Artillery Primer Opportunity
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EOIs Close: 20 December 2024
The Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) Group is inviting expressions of interest from Australian businesses to participate in the manufacture of
M82A1 artillery primers, a critical component for 155mm weapon platforms. This project is part of a broader effort to build domestic capability in the defence manufacturing supply chain.
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This opportunity is designed to identify Australian businesses capable of meeting stringent US-certified standards for either the full domestic manufacture or assembly of these components. The manufacturing project team is particularly interested in companies with potential to produce up to 20,000 primers annually, ensuring the Australian Defence Force (ADF) is equipped with locally-produced, high-quality munitions.
Note: US Technical Data Packs (TDP) will be available in the limited release tender early next year.
Components Overview:
The M82A1 Primer, Percussion, consists of a:
Body
- The body consists of a tapered cylindrical brass case with an extraction flange at the base.
- It houses a plunger, an igniter element assembly and a container tube.
Plunger
- The plunger includes an integral striker and is activated by the breech mechanism firing pin.
- The plunger includes an integral striker and is activated by the breech mechanism firing pin.
Igniter Element Assembly
- This assembly is threaded into the primer body, forward of the plunger striker
- It houses a Primer, Percussion No.34 with 0.035 grams of Composition FA 956
Container Charge Assembly.
- This assembly houses a primer charge consisting of 22 grains of black powder
- The container tube is threaded into the primer body, with the open end facing the igniter element assembly
- The open end of the container tube is sealed with a paper closure disc to prevent powder seepage, and the forward end is sealed with a copper alloy container cup.
The Opportunity:
The manufacturing team under Stage 1B-3 is looking for Australian businesses that have the ability to:
Assemble (Load, Assemble, Pack)
- Domestically assemble M82A1 artillery primers with imported parts to meet US requirements and specifications.
Manufacture
- Domestically manufacture M82A1 artillery primers, focusing should be on producing the individual parts rather than importing them. Full domestic manufacture is preferred over assembly.
Production Capacity
- Deliver an annual supply of 15,000 to 20,000 M82A1 primers for ADF consumption.
- Deliver an annual supply of 15,000 to 20,000 M82A1 primers for ADF consumption.
Eligibility
- Companies must hold, or be eligible to obtain, a Defence Exports Control Client Reference Number (DCRN).
- Compliance and quality assurance will be managed by the Commonwealth of Australia (CoA)
Next Steps:
If your business can fulfil one or more of these requirements, we encourage you to take the next step by completing the Company Response Form [insert link] and submit it to GWEO IDB Large Calibre Munitions Manufacturing.
It is recommended that the ODIS POC for any respondents applying should be included in the application.
For additional information or assistance, please contact LTCOL Gordon Fouché at gordon.fouche@defence.gov.au
Hunter Defence remains committed to supporting local SME’s in seizing opportunities like this, helping to strengthen the Hunter’s reputation as a hub for advanced manufacturing and defence readiness.
Don’t miss the chance to contribute to this significant project – but hurry, EOI’s close on 20 December 2024.
To submit your EOI today: Click here
