New US Army artillery factory boosts 155mm munitions production
The UAPL facility will help meet growing demand for 155mm shells. (Photo: US Marine Corps)
The Universal Artillery Projectile Lines (UAPL) facility will be capable of high-volume production capabilities for large-calibre metal parts and operated by General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems.
The US Army has inaugurated a a new artillery factory which will boost production of 155mm munitions and also have the flexibility to produce a variety of metal parts ranging from 60mm to 155mm.
Funding for the UAPL came from FY22 and FY23 congressional supplementals and reprogramming of funds within the the US Department of Defense.
Under a package of contracts awarded by the US Army worth US$576 million, General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (GD-OTS) designed and constructed the facility which will facilitate procurement, transportation, installation and commissioning.
Upon completion, the US Army will assume ownership of the capital equipment, subsequently leasing it back to GD-OTS through a government-furnished materiel agreement.
The US Army said: “The facility’s 155mm metal parts production lines also meet US Army modernisation goals by incorporating high levels of automation, modern manufacturing practices and digital-data-capture ability.”
Christine Wormuth, secretary of the US Army, claimed: “This plant is an important example of how we are modernising our World War II-era organic industrial base. The US Army is spending more than a billion dollars every year to make these critical improvements.”
More from Land Warfare
-
![DSEI 2025: AM General has partner lined up for British Army vehicle programme]()
DSEI 2025: AM General has partner lined up for British Army vehicle programme
AM General’s Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) A2 is in low-rate initial production and the company is looking for export orders, notably the UK’s Land Mobility Programme (LMP), to add to a recent approval for Canada to buy vehicles.
-
![DSEI 2025: IDV sets eyes on British Army vehicle deal as MD calls for “acceleration” of efforts]()
DSEI 2025: IDV sets eyes on British Army vehicle deal as MD calls for “acceleration” of efforts
The UK’s Land Mobility Programme (LMP) to replace thousands of vehicles is in flux as the tender for the Light Mobility Vehicle segment planned for November is set to be missed. IDV Robotics’ Dr Geoff Davis is calling for the UK government to focus broadly on indigenous capability for procurement and to do it faster.
-
![DSEI 2025: Avon Protection provides first sight of new goggle and details on half mask]()
DSEI 2025: Avon Protection provides first sight of new goggle and details on half mask
Avon Protection has been growing and improving its integrated systems offerings. Last year the company released its Exoskin total protective suit system and earlier this year the MITR-M1 half mask.
-
![DSEI 2025: Elbit Systems set to field joint fires systems as it looks to large UK requirements]()
DSEI 2025: Elbit Systems set to field joint fires systems as it looks to large UK requirements
Elbit Systems UK was awarded the Dismounted Joint Fires Integrators (D-JFI) programme in January 2021, which will integrate with the UK’s army, marines and air force. The parent company has decades of heritage in the UK and is looking to compete for the Watchkeeper drone replacement.
-
![DSEI 2025: Milrem’s Havoc 8×8 robot to undergo live firing trials next year]()
DSEI 2025: Milrem’s Havoc 8×8 robot to undergo live firing trials next year
The Havoc uncrewed ground vehicle (UGV) was unveiled at IDEX 2025 in February. It is built around a hybrid electric powertrain which provides silent running over medium distances and silent watch for extended periods of time.
-
![DSEI 2025: ST Engineering kicks off export drive for new Bronco 3]()
DSEI 2025: ST Engineering kicks off export drive for new Bronco 3
The original Bronco was developed to meet the requirements of the Singapore Army and subsequently built in large numbers and many configurations.
