Canadian Commercial Corp. and Estes Energetics have received a total value of $5.1 million from the Department of Defense to strengthen the supply chain by ensuring the availability of raw materials.
The DOD said Monday the awards, facilitated through the Defense Production Act Purchases office in collaboration with the Joint Program Executive Office Armaments and Ammunition, aim to enhance the process of recrystallizing nitroguanidine, or NQ. The project supports the 2024 National Defense Industrial Strategy’s objective of enhancing supply chain resilience, which will be instrumental in the production of weapon systems for national security.
The escalating global conflicts have increased demand for triple-base propellant and IMX explosives, which are used in artillery systems. This has put the spotlight on the nitroguanidine supply chain. The DPA Title III funding is expected to enhance recrystallization technology and boost NQ production.
DOD Contract Details
The funds for the project will come from the U.S. Army and the DPAP office. The Ottawa, Ontario-based Canadian Commercial Corp. will receive $3.2 million while Estes Energetics of Penrose, Colorado will get $1.7 million. The execution of the award will be carried out by General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems in Valleyfield, Canada.
Laura Taylor-Kale, assistant secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy, stated, “These investments will ensure continued domestic availability of a critical energetic while a new U.S.-based manufacturing capability for NQ is established.”
