The Scranton Army Ammunition Plant in Pennsylvania has increased production by 50% to meet the surging demand for artillery shells in Ukraine’s fight against Russia. The historic factory is undergoing a $400 million modernization to boost capacity even further. The plant processes steel bars into 155 mm howitzer rounds, which are then packed with explosives and fitted with fuses in Iowa before being sent to Ukraine. The plant recently increased production from 24,000 rounds per month to 36,000 rounds per month and is developing three new production lines to produce more critical munitions.
The U.S. has sent over 3 million 155 mm artillery rounds to Ukraine since Russia invaded the country in 2022. The White House recently announced an additional $125 million in weapons, including 155 mm shells, to support Ukraine’s military operations. The Scranton factory, which was originally a locomotive repair shop, was converted into a production facility for large-caliber artillery for the Korean War. General Dynamics has operated the plant since 2006 under contract with the U.S. government, which owns the facility.
Officials at the Scranton plant are halfway through one of the largest modernization projects in its history, with about 20 projects currently underway. A new production line has been introduced with a new machine that can replace the work of three machines, maximizing the space at the 500,000-square-foot factory. The plant employs around 300 workers who are responsible for cutting, forging, machining, washing, and painting the artillery shells. Each round is manually inspected at every step to ensure it meets specifications before being shipped out to Ukraine.
The goal at the Scranton plant is to focus on producing 155 mm artillery rounds to meet the needs of the Pentagon and support Ukraine’s fight against Russia. Officials are working diligently to ensure the plant achieves the production targets set by the government. The lives of gun crews and innocent civilians depend on the accuracy and effectiveness of these artillery rounds in the field. The plant is dedicated to producing high-quality munitions that can perform as intended and make a difference in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
With the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia escalating, the demand for ammunition continues to grow. The Scranton Army Ammunition Plant plays a crucial role in meeting this demand by increasing production and modernizing its facilities to produce more 155 mm artillery rounds. The efforts to boost capacity and streamline production at the plant will ensure that Ukraine has the necessary support in its fight against Russian aggression. The dedication of the plant’s workers and officials to meet the production targets set by the government highlights the importance of this historic factory in supplying essential munitions for the ongoing conflict.
