The United States Army is embarking on a significant expansion of its artillery ammunition production capabilities with the establishment of a new factory in the Midwest.
This ambitious project, known as the Future Artillery Complex, is slated to be constructed at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant. The facility is expected to manufacture around 36,000 artillery shells each month, as reported by Axios.
The construction of this state-of-the-art complex will be led by MSM Group North America, a defense manufacturer operating under the Czechoslovak Group, which has secured a $635 million contract for the endeavor.
According to the Daily Caller, MSM Group CEO Jason Gaines emphasized the strategic importance of this initiative, stating, "Our principle objective is to expand the depth of the industrial base, particularly ammunition." The project will see collaboration with several specialized companies, including Wieland for construction, IPS Custom Automation for robotics and fabrication, and DetTX for engineering expertise.
Gaines, a seasoned professional in the defense industry, currently chairs the NDIA Industrial Committee of Ammunition Producers and has previously held a position at General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems.
The facility is designed to leverage advanced robotics and automation technologies to enhance efficiency in shell production. "Were looking to drastically improve or reduce the material handling that the operators are doing today, as well as the pouring parameters," Gaines explained to Axios. However, details regarding the workforce size for the new plant remain undisclosed.
The Army's objective is to ramp up the production of 155mm artillery shells to a staggering 100,000 units per month. These munitions have been a critical component of the military aid provided to Ukraine since the onset of the Russian invasion in 2022, with over 3 million shells already dispatched to Kiev.
Nonetheless, there are growing concerns among defense experts about the potential depletion of U.S. stockpiles due to the continuous supply of munitions to Ukraine. Such apprehensions led to a temporary halt in missile shipments to the country in July.
Login