Lithuania is actively negotiating with Northrop Grumman to establish a 30mm ammunition production line within the country. This initiative is part of Lithuania’s broader effort to attract significant international investment in its arms and ammunition production sectors. The first investor aims to produce 30mm ammunition specifically for infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs), while the second is focused on manufacturing IFVs themselves. The most prominent IFV in the Lithuanian Armed Forces is the Boxer IFV, locally known as Vilkas (Wolf). This vehicle is produced by the German-Dutch ARTEC consortium. Lithuania has customized these vehicles to meet its specific needs, including the integration of Spike-LR anti-tank missiles and Samson Mk II RCT remote-controlled weapon stations.
89 of 91 Lithuanian Vilkas/Wolf are fitted with the Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Samson Mk II RCT turret mounting a fully stabilised Mk44 Bushmaster II 30 mm dual-feed chain gun autocannon, 7.62 mm co-axial MG, and Spike-LR missiles. The gun uses standard GAU-8 Avenger ammunition that is available in API (Armor-Piercing Incendiary), HEI (High-Explosive Incendiary) and APFSDS-T (Armor-Piercing Fin-Stabilized Discarding Sabot-Tracer) variants. Lithuania received four variants of the IFV, 55 IFV squad leader, 18 IFV platoon leader; 12 IFV company leader; 4 IFV command post. Variants vary by mission fit primarily in the areas of additional voice and data communication equipment as well as modified BMS.
Orbital ATK designed, built, and delivered rocket engines, military vehicles, firearms, autocannons, missiles, ammunition, precision-guided munitions, satellites, missile approach warning systems, launch vehicles and spacecraft. The company was acquired by Northrop Grumman on June 6, 2018. The former Orbital ATK operations were renamed Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems and operated as a division until January 1, 2020 when a reorganization merged the operations into the company’s other divisions. The company’s ammunition is compatible with every caliber of Bushmaster Chain Guns, making Northrop Grumman the perfect partner for Lithuania in gaining superior overmatch in defense capabilities.
Northrop Grumman Corporation is an American multinational aerospace and defense company. With 95,000 employees[3] and an annual revenue in excess of $30 billion, it is one of the world’s largest weapons manufacturers and military technology providers. The company’s medium-caliber ammunition provides accurate, reliable, and effective defeat against a variety of targets. For over 36 years, Northrop Grumman’s innovations in ammunition have led to cutting-edge defenses on the battlefield. Their expertise spans the full product life cycle, from design and testing to next-generation autonomous production. As of the end of 2022, Northrop Grumman organized its business around four main sectors, each of which comprises two or more business areas.
