St. Petersburg, Fla. -- General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems has been awarded a $23.9 million option on a previously awarded multi-year contract for production of M795 projectile metal parts.

The contract was awarded by the U.S. Army Joint Munitions & Lethality Life Cycle Management Command (JM&L LCMC) of Picatinny Arsenal, N.J. The multi-year contract has a total potential value of $166.7 million if all options are exercised. The work on this contract will be performed at the company's Scranton Operations in Pennsylvania.

The 155mm M795 is a High Explosive/High Fragmentation artillery projectile that is fired from M777 and M198 towed howitzers and the M109A6 Paladin self-propelled howitzer. To date, General Dynamics has produced over one million 155mm M795 projectiles in support of the U.S. Marine Corps' Indirect Fire Mission.

"We are proud to continue to support the U.S. Marine Corps with superior artillery firepower for its combat mission," said Dr. Dean Bartles, vice president and general manager of large caliber ammunition for General Dynamics. "General Dynamics has a long legacy in supplying artillery ammunition and we look forward to continuing to support this Marines Corps capability."