The US Army and General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems have opened a new load, assemble, and pack facility in Camden, Arkansas, to produce 155mm high-explosive artillery projectiles.
The facility will manage the final stage of ammunition production, where two active lines will produce about 50,000 units per month.
Advanced automation, digital quality tracking, and more new manufacturing technologies will be incorporated into the new site.
It will also use a next-generation air-cooling system for explosive curing to reduce water usage compared to previous cooling methods.
“Today is the result of a robust partnership between industry, local, state, and federal government teammates,” said Acquisition, Logistics and Technology senior official Pat Mason.
About 185 new jobs will be created in the region to support the new facility.
The US Army aims to increase its monthly output of 155mm projectiles to 100,000. It has quadrupled its critical munitions production since 2022 to respond to global demands and improve the force’s firepower readiness.
Increasing Ammo Production
The US Army increased its production goals from 80,000 in 2023, initially focusing on bolstering Ukraine’s firepower against Russian forces.
The force then signed a deal with ammunition group Olin Winchester to build an ammo manufacturing facility in Missouri for the Next Generation Squad Weapon.
BAE Systems also collaborated with Hanwha Defense to conduct upgrades in the army’s Radford Ammunition Plant.
The facility manufactures missile propellants, explosives, air defense, artillery, and naval weapons.
