Federal Premium has secured a significant domestic military ammunition contract award for training ammunition for the United States Navy.

The U.S. Naval Surface Warfare Center-Crane Division, operated under the U.S. Navy’s Naval Sea Systems Command, committed to a five-year contract. It will begin in 2018 for the delivery of up to $20 million in 40-caliber frangible training rounds featuring Federal Premium’s lead-free Catalyst high-performance primer.

Unlike other lead-free primers, clean-burning Catalyst is not hygroscopic, so it won’t absorb ignition-inhibiting moisture and delivers the most reliable ignition possible. Additionally, Catalyst fuels a more efficient powder burn to improve the consistency of bullet velocities.

“We’re proud the U.S. Navy for this important contract,” said Jason Nash, Senior Director of Marketing for Federal Premium. “Our Catalyst lead-free priming technology is a major breakthrough and we’re excited to see it used by those who protect our freedom.”

Headquartered in Anoka, Minn., Federal Premium has been providing hunters and shooters with high-quality rimfire, centerfire and shotshell ammunition since 1922. It pioneered the Premium category of ammunition and is a world-leading ammunition manufacturer. 

Federal Premium is a brand of Vista Outdoor Inc., an outdoor sports and recreation company.