U.S. Army Boosts 155mm Ammunition Production with New Facility Amid Soaring Global Demand.

According to an official announcement on April 22, 2025, the U.S. Army, in partnership with American Company General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (GD-OTS), inaugurated a new Load, Assemble, and Pack (LAP) facility for 155mm high-explosive artillery projectiles in Camden, Arkansas. This initiative represents a critical expansion of the United States’ munitions manufacturing capabilities and is a cornerstone of the Army’s strategic effort to restore the defense industrial base, improve readiness, and reinforce deterrence in the face of evolving global threats.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

The U.S. Secretary of the U.S. Army, Dan Driscoll, tours the new LAP facility in Camden, Arkansas, on April 22, 2025. Opened by the U.S. Army and General Dynamics, the site boosts 155mm artillery production to support readiness and strengthen the defense industrial base.  (Picture source: U.S. Army)

The new Camden facility marks a significant leap forward in artillery production, especially for the 155mm high-explosive projectiles forming Western artillery arsenals' backbone. At full capacity, the plant’s two advanced LAP lines will produce up to 50,000 completed projectiles each month. This development directly supports the U.S. Army’s larger objective to double the monthly output of 155mm rounds to 100,000 by leveraging advanced automation, digital quality tracking systems, and environmentally conscious processes such as a next-generation air-cooling system for explosive curing.

The strategic importance of this facility is underscored by the dramatic increase in global demand for 155mm artillery ammunition, driven in large part by the ongoing war in Ukraine. Since the conflict began, Ukraine’s heavy reliance on NATO-standard artillery systems has placed unprecedented pressure on Western stockpiles. The U.S. and its allies have been supplying vast quantities of 155mm ammunition to support Ukrainian forces, prompting urgent calls to scale up production. This has catalyzed a renaissance in defense manufacturing, with the Camden facility representing one of the most tangible outcomes of these efforts.

The 155mm caliber has proven to be the workhorse of the artillery battlefield in Ukraine. Ukrainian forces, equipped with systems such as the U.S.-supplied M777 howitzers, French CAESARs, German PzH 2000s, and other NATO-standard artillery platforms, have fired hundreds of thousands of rounds in both defensive and offensive operations. The intense consumption rate—reportedly up to several thousand rounds per day during peak operations—has highlighted the critical importance of maintaining robust and scalable ammunition production lines. This widespread and sustained usage has not only driven U.S. investment in munitions manufacturing but has also spurred similar responses across NATO and allied nations seeking to replenish depleted reserves and prepare for prolonged contingencies.

Since 2022, the U.S. Army has nearly quadrupled its monthly output of this essential munition. This ramp-up reflects not only lessons learned from contemporary conflicts but also a deliberate shift towards strengthening America’s long-term deterrence strategy. The Camden LAP facility integrates 21st-century manufacturing standards and sustainable innovations, ensuring higher throughput and improved consistency of artillery projectiles, while also reducing environmental impact through water-saving technologies.

Central to the facility’s operations is the Load, Assemble, and Pack (LAP) process, which represents the final and most critical stage of ammunition production. In the “load” phase, the hollow 155mm projectile bodies are filled with high-explosive material such as TNT or modern compositions like IMX. This step involves melting and casting the explosive into the shell, followed by solidification through air-cooling—a new method that reduces water usage and enhances safety.

Following this, the “assemble” phase begins, in which essential components such as the fuze and driving band are installed. Fuzes control detonation timing, while the driving band ensures the projectile spins for accuracy. Advanced inspection systems then verify the quality and integrity of the completed munitions.

In the final “pack” phase, the projectiles receive protective coatings and are packaged into specialized containers for shipment or storage. Each round is clearly labeled and tracked, ensuring logistical efficiency and compliance with safety standards. With automation and digital tracking playing key roles throughout, the Camden LAP facility sets a new benchmark in modern artillery manufacturing.

Beyond meeting immediate operational needs, the new facility in Camden is emblematic of a broader vision: modernizing the U.S. munitions production infrastructure to secure future supply chains, enhance industrial resilience, and ensure the military is equipped for protracted, high-intensity conflicts. In an era of strategic competition and rising global instability, the Camden LAP plant will serve as a vital pillar in maintaining the United States' strategic edge.