A team comprised of five ammunition logistics engineers from the Defense Ammunition Center was recognized Dec. 13, 2007 by Brig. Gen. James E. Rogers, commanding general, U.S. Army Joint Munitions Command for their nomination in the 2006 AMC Outstanding Integrated Product/Weapon System of the Year Award competition.

"The team's dedication to excellence in the performance of duty reflects great credit upon this unique unit, the US Army Joint Munitions Command, the US Army Materiel Command, and the US Army", wrote Gen Benjamin. S. Griffin, Commanding General, US Army Materiel Command in a congratulatory note to the team members. Rogers echoed these accolades as he presented each team member with a Commander's Coin for Excellence at the Field Commanders' Seminar held at McAlester, Okla. Dec. 12-13, 2007.

The DAC team recognized for this award worked with Cybernet Systems Corporation to develop the Automated Tactical Ammunition Classification System; an innovative approach that provides the U.S. warfighter with a safe, accurate and efficient means of processing field-returned small arms ammunition. In contrast to time-consuming hand-sorting methods, the ATACS system fully automates the classification process, far surpassing the abilities of human inspectors. Currently, the ATACS is capable of classifying, inspecting, and sorting ammunition ranging from 5.56 mm to .50 cal. The ATACS is capable of an average production rate of 50,000 rounds of 5.56 mm rounds per eight hours of operation and has processed five million rounds since initial integration.

The development of the ATACS took only eight months from problem identification to equipment fielding and only 90 days to design, manufacture, and field. The first ATACS, supported by DAC and Cybernet was deployed to Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom in 2004.

The second ATACS underwent validation tests at DAC and was deployed to Fort Irwin, Calif., in 2006, to be utilized in the inspection and separation of SAA training ammunition. Future plans for the ATACS includes being part of Desert Optimized Equipment, where mobilized workshops can be transported anywhere in the world on short notice to support the warfighter.