ATK subsidiary Eagle Industries has been awarded a follow-on contract by the US Marine Corps (USMC) Systems Command for the production of a new standard-issue pack.

Under the contract, the company will provide a new load-bearing equipment system, which increases overall combat effectiveness, lessens load weight and improves system compatibility.

ATK Security and Sporting group president Ron Johnson said: "The new USMC pack system provides Marines with a simple and effective load-carriage system that can easily be customised to support their mission, with or without body armour."

The initial contract was awarded last month and the two contracts together have a total value of $75m.

Work will be carried at the company’s two Puerto Rico manufacturing plants and is scheduled for completion on 31 January 2013.