What American Ordnance does

American Ordnance LLC is the sole operating contractor of the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant (IAAAP) in Middletown, Iowa and the Milan Army Ammunition Plant (MLAAP) in Milan, Tennessee, producing medium- to large-caliber munitions and explosive components for the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and State Department approved international customers. The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Day & Zimmermann, Inc., a diversified industrial conglomerate, and operates as a private LLC that has supported U.S. warfighters for more than 70 years.

The company's core offering is Load, Assemble, and Pack (LAP) services across six product lines: 40mm grenades (M385, M430/M430A1, M433, M918), 60/81/120mm mortars, pressed and melt-pour explosive warheads for Stinger, Hawk, Javelin, Longbow HELLFIRE, and TOW missile systems, energetics (demolition and mine-clearing charges, propellant charges), 120mm and 105mm tank ammunition for the M256 smoothbore cannon, and 105mm/155mm artillery projectiles. Underlying capability rests on explosive pressing from 5 to 800 tons (including warheads up to 25 inches in diameter), melt pour, cast cure, extrusion, a MIL-STD-compliant Insensitive Munitions line, and a unique on-site test fire range with vertical and horizontal stands, flash x-ray, high-speed digital video, and 500-foot horizontal testing.

Commercially, American Ordnance generates revenue through multi-year U.S. government defense contracts as either a prime contractor or significant subcontractor, with contract-based pricing that is not publicly disclosed. Go-to-market is exclusively enterprise/government procurement rather than commercial sales; the company's primary customer is the DoD with limited, State-Department-approved Foreign Military Sales. The organization holds ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, and ISO 45001:2028 certifications and operates within the ARMS (Armament Retooling and Manufacturing Support) program, which permits commercial tenant occupancy of under-utilized government space at IAAAP.

Name

American Ordnance

Legal name

American Ordnance LLC

Website

https://aollc.biz

Company type

Private

Founded year

1950

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

American Ordnance LLC is the sole operating contractor of the Iowa and Milan Army Ammunition Plants, producing medium- to large-caliber munitions and explosive warheads for the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, and State Department approved international customers as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Day & Zimmermann, Inc.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Defense Ammunition Manufacturing

NAICS

Ammunition (except Small Arms) Manufacturing (332993), Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336419)

SIC

Ordnance & Accessories, (No Vehicles/Guided Missiles) (3480)

akta.pro primary industry

Artillery, Mortar & Tank Munitions (IMABAHAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Ammunition Manufacturing (Small-, Medium- & Large-Caliber) (IMABAHAG), Explosives, Energetics & Pyrotechnics (Military-Grade) (IMABAHAK), Military-Grade Explosives & Energetic Materials (IMAEALAE)

Keywords

• Ammunition manufacturing
• Military munitions
• Explosive components
• Missile warheads
• Defense contractor

Headquarters

HQ city

Middletown

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Government Defense Contracts: American Ordnance generates revenue as the operating contractor of the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant (IAAAP) and Milan Army Ammunition Plant (MLAAP). The company serves as prime contractor or significant subcontractor producing ammunition for the U.S. Military, including production and systems engineering, quality engineering, quality assurance, supply chain management, manufacturing, storage, and transportation services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

American Ordnance LLC operates as the prime contractor at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant (IAAAP) and Milan Army Ammunition Plant (MLAAP), manufacturing medium to large caliber ammunition and explosive components for the United States Military. Its product portfolio spans 40mm grenades, 60/81/120mm mortars, 120mm and 105mm tank ammunition, 155mm and 105mm artillery projectiles, missile warheads (Stinger, Hawk, Javelin, Longbow HELLFIRE, TOW), and energetics (demolition charges, mine clearing charges, propellant charges). The company provides Load, Assemble, and Pack (LAP) services from prototype development through high-rate manufacturing, supported by insensitive munitions capabilities, explosive pressing up to 800 tons, and a unique in-house test fire range.

Product overview

American Ordnance is a premier manufacturer of ammunition and energetic components for the United States Military, operating as a Load, Assemble and Pack (LAP) contractor at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant and Milan Army Ammunition Plant. The company's product portfolio spans six core product lines: 40MM Ammunition (including M385, M430/M430A1, M433, and M918 cartridges), Mortars & Mortar Components (60mm, 81mm, and 120mm variants), Explosive Warheads (for Stinger, Hawk, Javelin, Longbow HELLFIRE, and TOW missile systems), Energetics (demolition charges, mine clearing systems, propellant charges), Tank Ammunition (120mm and 105mm cartridges for M256 cannon), and Artillery (155mm and 105mm projectiles). Supporting these products are engineering services including test fire capabilities, industrial X-ray, metrology, and machine shop services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 40MM Ammunition High explosive dual purpose and target practice ammunition cartridges for 40mm grenade launchers including M75, M79, M129, M203, and MK 19 machine gun systems. Produced by the Medium Caliber Business Unit at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant for the U.S. Military and State Department-approved international customers.
• Mortars & Mortar Components 60mm, 81mm, and 120mm mortar cartridges including high explosive, training practice, and smoke variants with multi-option fuzing systems, plus associated ignition cartridges and propelling charges. Produced at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant for the U.S. Military.
• Explosive Warheads Pressed and meltpour explosive warheads for missile systems including Stinger, Hawk, Javelin, Longbow HELLFIRE, and TOW anti-tank missiles, along with ancillary warhead products. Produced at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant for the U.S. Military.
• Energetics Explosive-loaded components, demolition charges, mine clearing systems, propellant charges, and energetic materials processing including melt pour, cast cure, and extrusion capabilities. Includes bursters, warheads, ignition cartridges, propellant charges, 155mm artillery projectiles production/recapitalization, radiographic inspection, and demilitarization.
• Tank Ammunition 120mm and 105mm tank ammunition including high explosive anti-tank, multi-purpose, canister, and training practice cartridges for M256 smooth bore cannon systems. Produced at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant for the U.S. Military.
• Artillery 155mm and 105mm artillery projectiles including high explosive, blast effect, fragmentation, and blank ammunition for howitzer systems. Includes production and recapitalization capability at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant for the U.S. Military.
• Load, Assemble and Pack (LAP) Manufacturing Services Full range of munitions and high explosive component manufacturing services including casting, pressing, and final assembly for medium to large caliber ammunition and explosives, from prototype projects and testing through high-rate manufacturing. Includes support for insensitive munitions and smart munitions requirements.
• Industrial Services Professional ammunition engineering services including industrial X-ray, water testing, metrology lab services, tool and die, machine shop services, blocking and bracing, material storage, and environmental services to support ammunition production and program needs.
• Test Fire Services Unique test fire range service with vertical and horizontal test stands, flash x-ray systems, high speed digital video recording, Cordin camera (model 126), radar velocity tracking, horizontal range up to 500-foot testing, spin testing (120mm warheads), spaced armor and arena testing, velocity screens, and static pressure testing for ammunition development and production support.

Named customers3 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Day & Zimmermann, Inc.coreOthersAmerican Ordnance LLC is one of the Day & Zimmermann, Inc. family of companies. Day & Zimmermann is the parent company providing corporate structure and support for American Ordnance's operations at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant and Milan Army Ammunition Plant.
• Armament Retooling and Manufacturing Support (ARMS) ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmerican Ordnance participates in the ARMS program at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant, an entrepreneurial government initiative supporting private sector presence at under-utilized government facilities. The program offers prospective commercial and industrial businesses in-kind incentives such as building modifications, tailored financing arrangements, and loan guarantees.
• Commerce Center IowaminorOthersCommerce Center Iowa is referenced in connection with the ARMS program, supporting businesses looking to start, expand or relocate at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant facility.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Nammo AS: Norwegian-headquartered defense group specializing in ammunition, rocket motors, and shoulder-fired munitions for NATO militaries. Directly comparable as a medium- and large-caliber ammunition and energetics manufacturer with strong U.S. presence supplying U.S. and allied forces.
• Chemring Group: U.K.-based specialty manufacturer of military energetics, countermeasures, and medium-caliber ammunition with U.S. operations (Chemring Military Products). Overlaps with American Ordnance's energetics, 40mm, and countermeasure/lap capabilities.
• General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems: A primary U.S. prime contractor for medium- and large-caliber ammunition, artillery, tank ammunition, and missile propulsion/rockets — directly competing with American Ordnance in load-assemble-pack munitions, energetics, and warhead production for the U.S. Military.
• BAE Systems Land & Armaments: Produces combat vehicles, large-caliber ammunition, artillery, mortars, and precision munitions for the U.S. Army and Marines — a directly comparable U.S. munitions manufacturer serving the same customer base with overlapping product categories.
• Olin Corporation (Winchester Ammunition): Through its Winchester brand and military ammunition operations, Olin produces small-, medium-, and large-caliber military ammunition for U.S. DoD and law enforcement, including 40mm and other tactical rounds that overlap American Ordnance's medium-caliber portfolio.
• American Rheinmetall Defense: U.S. subsidiary of Germany's Rheinmetall, producing large-caliber ammunition, artillery propelling charges, and military vehicle systems. Directly comparable in tank/field artillery ammunition production for U.S. DoD.

Broad incumbents

• RTX (Raytheon Missiles & Defense): Prime contractor for Stinger, TOW, Javelin, and other missile systems for which American Ordnance produces warheads. While a broader defense incumbent rather than a direct ammunition competitor, it is a key customer-counterparty that influences American Ordnance's warhead volumes.
• Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control: Prime contractor for Javelin, Longbow HELLFIRE, and other guided-missile systems whose warheads are produced by American Ordnance. A broader defense incumbent that anchors downstream demand for American Ordnance's warhead business.
• Northrop Grumman (Alliant Techsystems / ATK legacy): Through its legacy ATK/Orbital ATK business, Northrop Grumman produces tank ammunition, artillery rounds, missile propulsion, and tactical rockets. A broader incumbent whose munitions business directly overlaps American Ordnance's warhead, mortar, and tank ammunition categories.

Others

• Day & Zimmermann (parent company): American Ordnance's parent conglomerate, providing corporate structure and government-contracting capabilities. While not a peer in the operational sense, Day & Zimmermann's other defense and government-services businesses (e.g., Mason & Hanger, DynCorp-related units) operate adjacent to the munitions mission.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/american-ordinance

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about American Ordnance