The U.S. Army, in collaboration with General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, opened a new load, assemble and pack, or LAP, facility in Camden, Arkansas, on April 22.
Boosting Critical Artillery Production
The new LAP facility is intended to bolster the production of 155 mm high-explosive artillery projectiles, the Army said Tuesday. This aligns with the service branch’s efforts to bolster its production capacity, with the goal of producing 100,000 155 mm artillery projectiles a month. The modern projectile loading facility has two new LAP lines expected to manufacture 50,000 high-explosive projectiles monthly.
The Camden facility will be utilized for the final stage of the critical artillery production. During this stage, the 155 mm metal projectile bodies will be filled with explosive materials and assembled with other parts before they are packed for delivery.
The new facility is also meant to revitalize the defense industrial base and enhance readiness to reinforce deterrence. It is equipped with advanced automation, digital quality tracking and other technological capabilities to boost consistency and production rate. In addition, the LAP facility is fitted with a modern air-cooling system for explosive curing to minimize water usage compared to existing cooling methods.
“The Camden load, assembly, and pack munitions facility is just one of several modernization investments the Army is making to reinforce and strengthen our defense industrial base,” said Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll.
The Army and General Dynamics also worked together to open production facilities in Mesquite, Texas and Marion, Illinois, in 2024.
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