Prepare for battle: the U.S. Army is constructing a new ammunition factory.

The U.S. Army continues its testing and training with the XM7 and XM250 – new rifles and machine guns developed under the Next Generation Squad Weapons (NGSW) program to replace the outdated M4 carbine and M248 light machine gun. Both types of firearms are designed to use the new specialized 6.8 Remington cartridge.

As preparations are underway for the widespread adoption of this new weaponry, the department has also made a significant advance in ensuring the production of new ammunition. Instead of retrofitting existing production lines, a new facility is being built for this purpose.

Earlier this month, the Joint Program Executive Office for Armaments and Ammunition (JPEO A&A) and the Joint Munitions Command (JMC) announced the commencement of construction for a new plant.

The facility will be located at the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant (LCAAP) in Independence, Missouri. LCAAP is the only government-owned small caliber ammunition plant in the country, managed by a contractor. The 1.5-hectare facility, built by Remington Arms in 1941, is part of the U.S. Army's Joint Munitions Command. It produces small caliber military ammunition and other munitions for both combat and training purposes. LCAAP also serves as the national center for ammunition testing and a shooting center.

The plant has been managed by Winchester Ammunition since October 2020 and currently produces all calibers of ammunition for firearms used by the U.S. military, including 9mm, 5.56mm, 7.62mm, .50 caliber, and 20mm rounds. The company received an $8 billion contract to operate the facility for seven years, with an option to extend for an additional three years.

Previously, Winchester held this contract from 1985 to 2001, while Alliant Technologies managed LCAAP from 2001 to 2020.

About the 6.8mm Cartridge

The 6.8x51mm cartridge, also known as .277 Fury, was developed in search of a middle ground between the outdated 5.56x45mm and 7.62x51mm cartridges used by the U.S. military and its NATO allies. In the future, this new cartridge may take its place among other NATO standards.

"Developed collaboratively by JPEO A&A, the Army's Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center, and the Army Research Laboratory, the 6.8mm ammunition is specifically designed to maximize the performance of the XM7 rifle and the XM250 automatic rifle," the Army explained.

It has been reported that the use of NGSW cartridges "provides increased range, improved accuracy, and enhanced lethality."

A New Plant for New Ammunition

The groundbreaking for the expansion of LCAAP took place this month following an 18-month design process led by JPEO A&A, the Army stated. The 41,800-square-foot facility will utilize a "modern manufacturing system" capable of producing "all components" of the ammunition, including casings and projectiles. Additionally, it will provide "maximum capabilities for loading and charging ammunition, packaging products, quality control processes, testing laboratories, maintenance, and administrative spaces."

According to the statement, 90% of the work will be performed at facilities in the Kansas City region, Missouri, and about 50 local companies will be involved in the construction.

"I have no doubt that victory on the battlefield begins with our production capabilities," said Major General John T. Reim, head of the Joint Program for Armaments and Ammunition. "Lake City has been central to ammunition production for our country since 1941, and this new facility builds on our proud historical legacy."

Once construction is completed, the expanded LCAAP will achieve "an annual production capacity of 385 million cartridges, 490 million projectiles, and 385 million loading-assembly-packaging operations for the 6.8mm cartridges."

About the Author

Peter Suciu is a journalist from Michigan. During his twenty-year journalism career, he has contributed to over forty magazines, newspapers, and websites, publishing more than 3,200 pieces. He regularly writes about military technology, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international relations. Peter is also a contributor to Forbes and Clearance Jobs. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. Contact the author via email: [email protected].