The U.S. Army is diversifying its supplier base for 155mm artillery shells to avoid bottlenecks, aiming to secure all major single sources by the end of 2025. The Pentagon is investing billions to increase munition production capacity to replenish stock for Ukraine and prepare for potential conflicts, with plans to spend $3.1 billion in FY24 alone. Production is targeting 100,000 shells per month, with the current output at 40,000 per month.
New facilities in Mesquite, Texas, and Camden, Arkansas, are enhancing shell production. Contracts with General Dynamics and IMT Defense are increasing shell production capacity. Load, assembly, and pack processes will be conducted at facilities in Camden, Arkansas, and Parsons, Kansas. Contracts for energetics and propellant production are awarded to companies globally, with plans to set up propellant production facilities in Canada and Virginia.
The Army plans to build a domestic TNT production facility and transfer production of combustible cartridge cases to Texarkana, Texas. Additional propellant charge production facilities are planned in Iowa and Arkansas. The Army is increasing redundancy in its supply chain to avoid single points of failure and ensure a more robust supply chain for munitions.