Defense and aeronautics firm Alliant Techsystems said Monday that it has won a contract to make up to 450 million rounds of ammunition for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The company said the contract is a renewal from previous contracts that go back 10 years. Alliant developed the .40 caliber, hollow-point ammunition to be produced under the contract in the early 2000s, said Brian Grace, a company spokesman.

Hollow-point rounds are considered especially rugged and have the ability to pierce through a number of different barriers, officials noted in announcing the contract. Grace said the ammunition is part of a broader product line that Alliant makes for several law enforcement agencies throughout the United States.

The new one-year contract has the option of being extended over four years. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Alliant Techsystems recently moved its executive headquarters to Arlington, Va., but still has significant operations in Eden Prairie as well as defense, satellite, and other aerospace installations across the country.

Ammunition for the new contract will be produced at Alliant's Federal Cartridge plant in Anoka. The facility is part of Alliant's Security and Sporting Group, which makes ammo and tactical accessories such as holsters for the sport shooting, security and law enforcement markets. Sales for the group accounted for about $930 million of Alliant's $4.8 billion total sales last year. Deliveries are expected to begin in June.

Staff writer Susan Feyder contributed to this story. Dee DePass • 612-673-7725