A new, state-of-the-art munitions factory has opened in Mesquite as part of the U.S. Army’s latest endeavor to modernize its ammunition production process.
The Universal Artillery Projectile Lines facility, inaugurated on May 29, promises to revolutionize the production and lower the subsequent cost of crucial 155-millimeter munitions, according to a recent press release from the U.S. Army. The facility is equipped with “long-stroke, high tonnage forging capabilities.”
The factory incorporates “high levels of automation, modern manufacturing practices, and digital-data-capture ability. It will offer the flexibility to produce a variety of metal parts ranging from 60 mm to 155 mm, with minimal changeover requirements,” per the news release.
Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh emphasized the significance of this new facility’s overall value.
“The Army is spending more than a billion dollars every year to make these critical improvements, and this plant is an important example of how we are modernizing our industrial base,” Singh said.
With a focus on enhancing production speed and capacity, the Universal Artillery Projectile Lines facility hopes to represent a milestone in the Army’s efforts to stay ahead in an evolving landscape of defense needs.
Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth echoed this sentiment during her visit to the facility.
“Each time I visit a plant, I am struck by the dedication, patriotism, and pride of the workers I meet, and I know that here in Mesquite, it won’t be any different,” Wormuth said.
“We are building new production lines across the country, and we are expanding our contracts with existing production facilities to increase their production speed and capacity,” Wormuth added.
By integrating contemporary manufacturing techniques such as advanced automation and “robust digital data capture systems,” the Universal Artillery Projectile Lines facility hopes to set a new standard for efficiency in munitions production for the Army.
The Universal Artillery Projectile Lines facility was funded through the fiscal 2022 and 2023 congressional supplementals and the reprogramming of taxpayer funds within the Defense Department.
The Army awarded General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems a series of contracts totaling $576 million for the design and construction of the facility.
Singh further highlighted the efforts to progress the country’s military infrastructure, saying, “This new facility underscores the Army and industry’s commitment to bolstering the defense industrial base and maintaining the readiness of our armed forces.”