U.S. Army artillery production plant in Camden to create 185 jobs
by April 23, 2025 12:03 pm 795 views
Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll (left) tours the newly opened Load, Assemble, and Pack (LAP) facility in Camden on April 22, 2025. (photo courtesy of U.S. Army)
Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll was in Camden, Ark., Tuesday (April 22) for the official opening of a General Dynamics manufacturing plant expected to assemble 50,000 artillery shells a month when fully operational.
The load, assemble and pack (LAP) plant in Camden produces the 155 mm artillery shell for the U.S. and NATO forces. St. Petersburg, Fla.-based General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems invested $110 million in the plant which is expected to create 185 new jobs, according to the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC).
According to the U.S. Army and AEDC, the plant is part of a larger effort to boost 155 mm production to 100,000 completed rounds a month. At the Camden plant, 155 mm metal projectile bodies are filled with explosive material, assembled with other components, and packed for shipment.
“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,” Secretary Driscoll said in a statement.
The 155 mm round is used with the M777 howitzer and the M109 Paladin. Former Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth said in May 2024 that the U.S. Army “is spending more than a billion dollars every year to make these critical improvements” in the effort to boost 155 mm production and components for other weapons.
“The push for increased 155 mm production comes as demand for artillery has surged due to ongoing global conflicts, including support for Ukraine, Israel, and broader U.S. defense readiness efforts,” according to the Army.
A facility in Mesquite, Texas, – the Mesquite Universal Artillery Projectile Lines facility – was opened in May 2024 to supply basic components to weapons-assembly operations like those in Camden.
“This General Dynamics Camden facility was designed and purpose-built to integrate new, innovative artillery production and assembly processes, providing a more resilient and enduring industrial capability for our warfighters,” said Joshua Thompson, General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems president.