SACO – Defense giant General Dynamics has been awarded an Army contract worth more than $5.6 million for work that will be performed at Maine’s Saco Defense plant.

The contract is for production of receiver cartridges for the 50-caliber M2 machine gun, which is produced by General Dynamics. The M2 machine gun can be fired from ground mounts and most vehicles as an anti-personnel and anti-aircraft weapon.

In announcing the award Thursday, U.S. Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins said they’re pleased that the contract will help to maintain the current 320-member work force at the Saco facility.