CAMDEN, Ark. — The U.S. Army, in partnership with General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, has opened a new Load, Assemble and Pack facility in Camden to boost production of 155 mm high-explosive artillery projectiles, a cornerstone of the service’s effort to expand munitions capacity and rebuild the defense industrial base.
Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll toured the site during the April 22, 2025 opening. “The Army must transform and get war-winning capabilities into the hands of Soldiers now, including key munitions. 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,” he said. “The Army remains committed to delivering relevant munitions at speed and scale to our Soldiers, the joint force, and allies and partners. It is not lost on us that a key component of victory on the battlefield starts in our production facilities.”
The LAP operation is the final step in manufacturing artillery rounds, where metal bodies are filled with explosive, assembled with components, and packaged for shipment. The Camden plant includes two new LAP lines designed to turn out up to 50,000 completed projectiles per month once fully up and running.
Army officials said the facility is part of a broader push to lift total monthly output of 155 mm projectiles to 100,000. Since 2022, the service has nearly quadrupled production of the munition, an increase driven by readiness requirements, global demand, and lessons from ongoing conflicts, according to the Army.
“Today is the result of a robust partnership between industry, local, state, and federal government teammates,” said Pat Mason, Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics and Technology). “All parties worked quickly and flexibly to accelerate the construction you see around you.”
The Camden site incorporates advanced automation and digital quality tracking intended to improve consistency and throughput, as well as a next-generation air-cooling system for explosive curing that reduces water consumption compared with legacy methods. Army leaders say the investment is meant to modernize production lines, strengthen domestic munitions capacity, and reinforce deterrence.
