PICATINNY ARSENAL, N.J. – The Army’s Project Manager, Combat Ammunition Systems will host an Industry Day on March 20 in Parsippany, New Jersey, to engage with industry partners and explore strategies for enhancing manufacturing capabilities. The Industry Day will contribute to the U.S. Army’s continuing efforts to expand and accelerate production of 155mm artillery ammunition, aiming to reach a production rate of 100,000 shots per month by 2026.

A shot is defined as a complete 155 mm round to include fuze, primer, explosively loaded projectile, and a propelling charge. The 155 mm artillery round is the backbone of U.S. and allied field artillery, providing long-range, high explosive firepower to support maneuver forces and suppress enemy positions.

The munition is a staple of modern warfare and is used in platforms such as the M777 howitzer and the M109 Paladin. It offers a balance of range, lethality, and adaptability, with various warhead configurations, including precision-guided variants, smoke, and illumination rounds.

The push for increased 155 mm production comes as demand for artillery has surged due to ongoing global conflicts, including support for Ukraine, Israel, and broader U.S. defense readiness efforts. The event will focus on enhancing artillery propelling charge systems, investing in the industrial base, and fostering innovation in munitions development.

“Expanding 155 mm artillery production is about ensuring the Army, our allies, and international partners have the firepower needed to deter and, if necessary, decisively win conflicts”, said Colonel Leon L. Rogers II, Project Manager for Combat Ammunition Systems. “Industry Day is a critical opportunity for us to engage with our partners, drive innovation, and strengthen the industrial base. It is through strategic investments, modernization, and collaboration with industry, we are building a production enterprise capable of delivering at scale and speed.”

The Army has already made significant investments to increase its domestic production of 155 mm shots, including the commissioning of new manufacturing facilities and modernization of existing locations. Recent contracts and funding initiatives have supported efforts to expand metal parts production, load-assemble-pack capabilities, and propellant supply.

Industry partners attending the event will have the opportunity to discuss these initiatives with Army leaders and gain insight into upcoming contract opportunities.

The rapid consumption of artillery munitions in ongoing conflicts has reinforced the need for a resilient, high-output industrial base capable of meeting wartime demands.

In response, the Army launched an aggressive multi-billion-dollar expansion effort, investing in industrial modernization, workforce growth, and supply chain resiliency. As a result, current monthly production capacity has more than tripled its 2022 output.

“This Industry Day represents a call to action for American industry to continue our efforts to expand and modernize our nation’s production capacity of 155 mm artillery,” said Maj. Gen. John T. Reim, Joint Program Executive Officer for Armaments and Ammunition. “We must forge a robust and responsive industrial base that ensures our warfighters and allies have the firepower they need and when they need it in order to deter aggression and defend freedom across the globe.”

The Army’s goal of 100,000 shots per month by 2026 will require further investment in metal parts manufacturing, load-assemble- pack (LAP) facilities, and propellant production.

Companies specializing in munitions production, advanced manufacturing, materials sourcing, and logistics will have the opportunity to engage in discussions and explore future contracting opportunities.

For more information, industry partners are encouraged to register on SAM.gov for updates on 155 mm production contracts and opportunities.

By Abraam Dawoud

INDEPENDENCE, Missouri – The U.S. Army’s Joint Program Executive Office for Armaments and Ammunition, along with the Joint Munitions Command, officially broke ground on a new 6.8 mm ammunition production facility in support of the Next Generation Squad Weapon Program at the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant on Wednesday, Feb. 5. The 6.8 mm family of ammunition, set to be produced at the new facility, will play a vital role in advancing the Army’s modernization priorities.

Developed collaboratively by the JPEO A&A, the U.S. Army’s Combat Capabilities Development Command’s Armaments Center, and the Army Research Laboratory, the 6.8 mm family of ammunition is specifically engineered to maximize the performance of the XM7 Rifle and the XM250 Automatic Rifle. When fired through these Next Generation Squad Weapons, 6.8 mm rounds deliver increased range, improved accuracy, and enhanced lethality, ensuring Soldiers maintain overmatch on the battlefield.

“It is not lost on me that victory on the battlefield begins in our production facilities,” said Maj. Gen. John T. Reim, Joint Program Executive Officer for Armaments and Ammunition. “Lake City has been central to our nation’s ammunition production since 1941, and this new facility builds on that proud and historic legacy.”

The cutting-edge facility, which will be operated by Olin Winchester, is the culmination of an 18-month design process led by JPEO A&A with support from a diverse team of U.S. government and commercial contractors.

Spanning 450,000 square feet, the facility will feature modern manufacturing systems capable of producing all components of 6.8 mm ammunition. This includes cartridge case and projectile manufacturing, energetic operations for loading and charging ammunition, product packaging, process quality controls, testing laboratories, maintenance operations and administrative areas.

With 90% of the work supported by industries in the Kansas City region and nearly 50 local businesses involved in the construction, the new facility will strengthen the defense industrial base, create well-paying jobs, and will drive economic growth in the local community.

Once operational, the facility will have an annual production capacity of 385 million cases, 490 million projectiles and 385 million load-assemble-pack operations for 6.8 mm ammunition. This enhanced capacity will significantly bolster U.S. munitions production, ensuring the Army maintains its readiness and ability to serve as a credible deterrent to would-be adversaries.

JPEO A&A and the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Command Armaments Center are headquartered at Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey. Together, they play a critical role in developing, procuring and fielding cutting-edge armaments and ammunition, ensuring the readiness and modernization of the U.S. Army and its international partners.

By U.S. Army Public Affairs