As the U.S. Army seeks to drastically ramp up its 155mm munitions production to 100,000 a month by the end of 2025, the biggest concern for the service’s acquisition chief is being able to secure enough explosives to fill them. The U.S. could build about 14,400 of the artillery shells per month prior to the war in Ukraine. The Army awarded $1.5 billion in contracts to nine companies in the fall of 2023 to boost global production of 155mm artillery rounds. An additional $14 million would cover the construction and recommissioning of a black powder production line in Louisiana.
TNT production is currently offshored, but the Army plans to use $650 million to design and construct a domestic TNT production facility, likely at Radford Army Ammunition Plant. Responses from industry are due Feb. 17, and the Army aims to complete construction and open the facility no later than 48 months after awarding a contract.
