New Facility Boosts U.S. Artillery Production in Camden, Arkansas
The United States takes significant strides in enhancing its military readiness as a new facility for assembling and packing 155mm artillery shells opens in Camden, Arkansas. This venture, a collaboration between the U.S. Army and General Dynamics, aims to bolster the production of crucial munitions amid global tensions.
With a focus on increasing production capacity and revitalizing the U.S. industrial base for military equipment, the facility is a key component in the Army’s strategic efforts. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “The Army must transform and get war-winning capabilities into the hands of soldiers now, including key munitions.”
The Camden facility is equipped with two advanced lines dedicated to loading, assembling, and packing high-explosive projectiles. Once fully operational, these lines are expected to produce about 50,000 rounds monthly, contributing to a broader goal of achieving a total monthly output of 100,000 projectiles. The facility officially commenced operations on April 22.
Pat Mason, a senior service official, highlighted the collaborative effort behind the project, remarking, “Today is the result of a robust partnership between industry, local, state, and federal government teammates.” The initiative aligns with former Army acquisition chief Doug Bush’s vision of enhancing 155mm parts and material production by the end of 2025, as reported by Defense News.
Motivated by the need to replenish munitions supplied to Ukraine and to maintain sufficient stockpiles for potential conflicts, the Pentagon has allocated billions towards increasing production capacity. The Army aims to invest $3.1 billion in FY24 supplemental funding to support this expansion. Prior to the conflict in Ukraine, U.S. production capacity was limited to approximately 14,400 artillery shells per month. The demand has since prompted a significant increase, with current production reaching around 40,000 shells per month as of October.
Previously reliant on a single plant in Scranton, Pennsylvania, the Army has expanded its operations with a new plant in Mesquite, Texas, and now, the Camden facility. Plans are also underway for an additional loading and packing facility in Parsons, Kansas. Beyond domestic expansion, the Army has engaged with IMT Defense in Ontario, Canada, to further bolster artillery shell production.
In 2023, the Army awarded $1.5 billion in contracts to various global companies, securing essential materials such as TNT and IMX-104 explosives, as well as primers and fuses, to support the expanded production efforts.
