U.S. Army Opens New 155mm Artillery Munition Facility in Camden

CAMDEN, Ark. – On April 22, the U.S. Army, in collaboration with General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, officially opened a new Load, Assemble, and Pack (LAP) facility in Camden, Arkansas. This state-of-the-art facility is designed to significantly boost the Army’s production of 155mm Artillery Munitions, a key component in modernizing artillery capabilities.

The new facility will streamline the production process, enhancing the Army’s capacity to meet increasing demands for high-explosive artillery projectiles. As global security challenges continue to evolve, this expansion is a critical step in ensuring that the U.S. military remains equipped and ready for rapid deployment in various conflict scenarios.

The 155mm Artillery Munition produced at the Camden facility will play a pivotal role in the Army’s broader defense strategy, bolstering military readiness and maintaining a technological edge over adversaries. By increasing production of these essential munitions, the Army is not only preparing for current military engagements but also positioning itself for future conflicts that may require rapid and sustained artillery support.

The collaboration between the U.S. Army and General Dynamics underscores a continued commitment to enhancing defense capabilities, ensuring that the military is prepared to address growing global security challenges with the most advanced resources available.

Strengthening U.S. Defense Capabilities

The opening of the Camden facility is a critical component of the U.S. Army’s strategic initiative to restore and expand the domestic defense industrial base. This new facility will focus on the final stage of artillery shell production, where the metal bodies of 155mm projectiles are filled with explosives, assembled, and packed for shipment. When fully operational, it will produce 50,000 completed projectiles per month.

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The expanded capacity is part of the Army’s broader objective to ramp up the production of 155mm artillery shells to 100,000 per month, a crucial goal that aligns with the Army’s growing demands for munitions in both global operations and training scenarios.

Army leadership emphasized the importance of this new production capability, with Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll stating, “The Army must transform and get war-winning capabilities into the hands of Soldiers now, including key munitions.”

This facility is one example of how the Army is investing in modernization to ensure that essential munitions are produced efficiently and on time, enabling U.S. forces, as well as allies and partners, to maintain a strategic advantage.

Cutting-Edge Technology and Sustainable Practices

The Camden LAP facility not only increases production capacity but also introduces advanced technological systems that will enhance the overall quality and consistency of artillery munitions.

The facility will incorporate state-of-the-art automation systems that improve production speed while maintaining high standards of precision and quality. These innovations are designed to increase throughput, reduce the potential for errors, and ensure that the munitions meet the stringent requirements for use in modern warfare.

In addition, the facility will employ a next-generation air-cooling system for the explosive curing process. This advanced cooling method reduces water consumption compared to traditional legacy systems, making the facility more environmentally sustainable. These efforts highlight the Army’s commitment to reducing its environmental footprint while ensuring that production processes remain efficient and safe.

Enhancing Global Deterrence and Readiness

The opening of the Camden facility also reflects the U.S. Army’s broader efforts to maintain its strategic deterrence capabilities. As tensions rise in various regions around the world, the ability to quickly produce and deliver essential munitions to U.S. forces has become a critical factor in national defense strategy.

By increasing production rates and investing in next-generation technologies, the Army is better positioned to respond to global threats and ensure that its forces remain prepared for any contingencies.

Pat Mason, Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology, noted that the project’s rapid completion was made possible through strong collaboration between local, state, and federal governments, as well as private industry partners.

This partnership underscores the Army’s commitment to sustaining a robust defense industrial base that can meet the needs of U.S. forces in a rapidly changing geopolitical environment.

The Camden facility’s production capacity will help strengthen U.S. military readiness by ensuring a consistent and reliable supply of 155mm artillery shells. This, in turn, will contribute to a broader effort to deter adversaries and reassure allies, with the Army’s commitment to producing high-quality, effective munitions standing as a testament to its ability to maintain operational excellence in any scenario.