NIOA Group, the Australian-based defense and firearm company that purchased Barrett Firearms in January, has expanded operations with a team now working on site at the Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey. The announcement, which was made November 28, explains the “The move ‘inside the wire’ at Picatinny signals NIOA’s intent to expand its reach in the U.S. beyond the recent 100-percent acquisition earlier this year of Tennessee-based Barrett Firearms. Barrett is a key supplier to the U.S. Army and Special Operations Command, with active contracts for its MK 22 Multi-Role Adaptive Design (MRAD) precision sniper rifle, and the M107A1 .50-cal semi-auto anti-material rifle.”
Picatinny Arsenal—originally established in 1880 as the Dover Powder Depot—is home to the U.S. Army Joint Center of Excellence for Guns and Ammunition. It covers 6,400 acres. Research and manufacturing conducted there strive to improve military armament performance. More than 6,000 military, government and civilian employees work at the facility. The Picatinny rail, now so familiar to owners of modern sporting rifles, was developed there.
“Picatinny Arsenal is a vital U.S. hub for defence innovation and collaboration,” NIOA Group CEO Robert Nioa said in the press release. “This strategic expansion comes at a crucial time and demonstrates NIOA’s long-term broader objective to strengthen allied defence capabilities. By establishing a stronger presence at Picatinny, NIOA hopes to facilitate closer collaboration with U.S. government agencies to accelerate our contribution to global security.”
NIOA’s team at Picatinny includes Doreen Chaplin, who was previously the First Assistant Program Executive Office Ammunition and Daniel Napolitano, who was Program Manager Combat Ammunition Systems Director of International Programs.
NIOA has longstanding relationships with a number of legendary American companies in the defense sector, including General Dynamics, Northrup Grumman and Winchester through its operation of the Lake City ammunition plant. Each also have a Picatinny tenancy.
