The US Army has announced a significant contract with MSM North America, a subsidiary of Czechoslovak Group (CSG), to construct a state-of-the-art large-caliber ammunition loading facility. This project, known as the Future Artillery Complex (FAC), comes with a substantial price tag of $632 million and is set to be completed at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant within the next 40 months. The facility is expected to commence commissioning and full-scale production by September 2029.
Utilizing advanced manufacturing technologies, the FAC aims to provide a scalable, flexible, and cost-effective solution for explosive loading, assembly, and packaging to meet the needs of the US Army. With the capacity to produce 36,000 155mm artillery rounds each month, this facility is seen as a critical enhancement to the war readiness of both the US and its allies, especially amidst escalating geopolitical tensions.
The Army has highlighted that the FAC will leverage lean manufacturing principles and will employ fully integrated system control and data acquisition systems. This integration will allow the facility to blend robotics and automation with cutting-edge technology to ensure operator safety and maintain high standards of product quality for current and future artillery needs. The design of the FAC will facilitate a seamless transition between different products with minimal downtime, allowing for economically viable operations at both peak and reduced production capacities.
Beyond simply bolstering the ammunition stockpile, the FAC is part of a larger initiative by the Pentagon to modernize its aging industrial base, which largely dates back to World War II. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has underscored the urgent need for increased ammunition production, particularly for 155mm shells. Earlier reports indicate that the Army produced 40,000 155mm rounds in June—a significant increase from the pre-invasion monthly rate of 14,500 recorded in 2022. However, it is projected that the army will not meet its ambitious target of 100,000 rounds per month by October 2025.
In response to these production needs, the US Department of Defense has earmarked approximately $5 billion for upgrading legacy plants and establishing additional facilities. This investment underscores the priority of modernizing the industrial base and replenishing critical munitions stockpiles, according to Maj. Gen. John T. Reim, Joint Program Executive Officer for Armaments & Ammunition. He emphasized that projects like the FAC are aimed at enhancing the Army’s capability to scale production effectively, catering to times of increased demand as well as periods of lower requirements.
Maj. Gen. Reim further remarked that when the Army identified the necessity for updated production capabilities, Congress responded by allocating $5 billion for enhancing capacity and advancing the defense industrial base into the modern era. The development of the FAC is viewed as a vital investment in new technology that will equip the Arsenal of Democracy to better meet the evolving demands of the warfighter by 2025 and subsequent years.
