Army Triples 155m Artillery Production, Produces “Course Correcting” Rounds

By Kris Osborn, President, Center for Military Modernization

High-altitude drone attacks, AI-enabled targeting, long-range stand-off precision weaponry and the growing promise of EW and cyber weapons may lead some to suspect traditional arms like artillery might be slowly disappearing or on a path to obsolescence.

Interestingly, the opposite is true. Artillery is not only here to stay but massively breaking through with new applications, lethality and technological sophistication. What may have begun hundreds of years ago with cannon fire and been used as an “area” attack weapon decades ago … is now a completely different weapon with precision-guidance, longer-range, course correcting technology and improved targeting. Artillery is here .. and yet it is different in some respects. However, part of this does involve a paradox, as imprecise or dumb rounds capable of bombarding or overwhelming an enemy with 155m artillery is still a useful tactical option in some cases. Certainly the current stand-off in Ukraine has called attention to the enduring value of artillery, and while Combined Arms Maneuver is evolving in concept and application due to AI and other newer technologies to newer forms, traditional fires remains extremely relevant if not critical.

Video Intv. with former Maj. Gen. Rafferty, Long-Range Precision Fires, Army Futures Command on 155 Artillery Modernization … from several years ago 

These variables are likely a major reason why the US Army has been massively revving up 155m artillery production and expanding the capacity of the US industrial base to accommodate increased demand.

The war in Ukraine, coupled with the US need to maintain readiness and integrate a collection of promising new guidance and range technologies have generated a vastly increased demand for artillery. Army Acquisition Executive Mr. Douglas Bush believes the Army is answering the call, as the service has expanded artillery production and has plans to increase to 60,000 rounds per month by next summer, according to an Army essay. The Army’s longer term goal is even more ambitious, as it includes efforts to reach a 100,000-round goal by 2026.

In the Army essay, Bush explains how the Army is adding new buildings and production capability at several critical locations such as the Radford Army Ammunition Plant in Virginia and Holston Army Ammunition Plant in Tennessee. The Army is also adding a new factory in Mesquite, Texas and two other facilities to load shells with explosives in Arkansas and Kansas.