The United States faces a shortage of energetics and propellants for munitions
1 June, 2024 Bomb production at a factory in Garland, Texas.
2011 year. Photo credits: army.mil While new shell production plants are being opened in the United States, America still faces a shortage of energetics and propellants.
A U.S. official told Janes that the 155-mm shells would not be ready until they would be filled with energetics and propellants. The U.S. defense industry will be able to produce 100,000 shells per month by the end of the year, it was recently announced at the opening ceremony of a new munitions plant in Texas. That goal "could slip a month or two".
If that happens, it will likely be because of production capacity for the internal parts of the ammunition. "When the war first broke out, the limiting factor was metal parts. That has all changed as production has caught up on that front, but energetic fills and propellants are now the focus of JPEO A&A," said Major General John Reim, programme executive officer for the Joint Program Executive Office Armaments and Ammunition.
155-mm shells made at the early stages of production. USA. Photo credits: The New York Times
To provide Ukraine with weapons, the Pentagon has set a goal of producing up to 100,000 artillery shells per month by the end of 2025.
Recently, a 155-mm shell production plant owned by General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems was opened in Texas, USA. The plant in Mesquite will produce 30,000 shells per month. The facility, which cost more than £500 million to build, will consist of three production lines.
It was built in 10 months after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with funding from Congress and the help of the Turkish company Repkon.
The General Dynamics plant in Mesquite, Texas, for the production of 155-mm shells.
May, 2024. USA. Photo credits: Secretary of the Army Christine E.
Wormuth
General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems is a world leader in the development, design and manufacture of ammunition, weapons and missile subsystems. The American company plays a significant role in supplying advanced solutions for various product segments.
The General Dynamics plant in Mesquite, Texas, for the production of 155-mm shells. May, 2024.
USA.
Photo credits: Secretary of the Army Christine E.
Wormuth
As previously reported, the Ukrainian government plans to negotiate the supply of Argentine gunpowder to the country.