St. Marks Powder
Ammunition manufacturer in the United States of America
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
St. Marks Powder is a subsidiary of General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems manufacturing ball propellant[1] in Crawfordville, Florida. St. Marks makes about 6,000 tons per year,[2] making it the world's largest producer of propellant.[3] The company is a member of the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute (SAAMI).[4]
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 Main plant entrance | |
| Industry | Manufacturer of ammunition components |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1998 |
| Headquarters | 7121 Coastal Hwy, Crawfordville, Fla. 32327 |
| Products | ball propellants |
| Parent | General Dynamics |
| Website | https://www.gd-ots.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/StMarksPowder-Brochure-202109-1.pdf |
History
Large-scale ball propellant manufacture began during World War II at the Olin Corporation plant in East Alton, Illinois. Population growth of the St. Louis, Missouri, metropolitan area encouraged finding a more remote location for a modern production plant. The St. Marks manufacturing facility was built in 1969 on a large plot of undeveloped swampland south of Tallahassee, Florida, at near sea-level elevation between the St. Marks River and the Gulf Coast.[5] Plant operation was transferred to St. Marks Powder in 1998.[6]
Products
St. Marks Powder supplies nearly 100 percent of the propellant used in 5.56×45mm NATO, 7.62×51mm NATO, 9×19mm NATO, and .50 BMG ammunition for United States military small arms and 20mm ammunition for the M61 Vulcan aircraft cannon.[3] Similar propellants are sold to commercial manufacturers of rimfire and centerfire ammunition[1] or marketed by Alliant Powder,[3] Winchester, and Hodgdon Powder Company for civilian handloading.[7] Other propellants are used for military 60mm and 81mm mortar rounds,[3] rocket-assisted projectiles,[8] or dispersing non-lethal agents used for crowd control, marking, or area denial.[9]