https://crsreports.congress.gov
November 18, 2022
Defense Primer: Conventional Ammunition Production
Industrial Base
The conventional ammunition production industrial base is
a collective term for the Department of Defense (DOD)
industrial facilities that produce conventional ammunition,
propellants, and explosives for use by the U.S. military.
Such munitions include small (.50 caliber and below),
medium (20 mm to 40 mm), and large (50 mm to 155 mm)
caliber ammunition; propellants for direct fire, indirect fire,
and rocket applications; and a variety of explosives. This
manufacturing capability primarily resides in five
government-owned, contractor-operated (GOCO) U.S.
Army Ammunition Plants (AAPs), with the Army
providing management and oversight on behalf of DOD.
Background and Overview
The modern ammunition production base dates to World
War I, when the War Industries Board sponsored a rapid
buildup of government and contractor production facilities
to meet wartime ammunition needs. A similar industrial
mobilization occurred during World War II, leaving the
United States with 86 ammunition plants by 1945. During
the Cold War, this number dwindled as stockpiles grew and
production processes became more efficient. In 1975, DOD
also consolidated management of ammunition production
by designating the Secretary of the Army as the Single
Manager for Conventional Ammunition (SMCA).
Today, the five GOCO plants supply the military with most
of its conventional ammunition, propellants, and
explosives. In addition, other sites within the broader Army
organic industrial base perform certain ammunition-related
industrial functions (see Figure 1).
Figure 1. Ammunition Production Base
Conventional Ammunition Industrial Facilities
Source: CRS Analysis of Joint Munitions Command data.
GOCO Ammunition Plants
The Iowa Army Ammunition Plant (AAP), Lake City AAP,
Radford AAP, Holston AAP, and Scranton AAP are the
Army’s five GOCO ammunition plants. Two major
contractual arrangements govern each plant—a facility
operation and maintenance contract that sets the terms of
contractor operation, and a production contract that sets the
terms of DOD ammunition sourcing. In addition to the
contractor workforce, each plant has a small staff of
military personnel and government civilians providing
management oversight.
Iowa AAP
Established in 1940, Iowa AAP consists of about 640
buildings on approximately 19,000 acres in Middletown,
IA. The plant primarily produces large and medium caliber
ammunition, mortars, mines, missile warheads, and other
explosives, and has been operated by American Ordnance
LLC since 2008. In 2022, on-site staff consisted of one
military officer, 21 government civilians, and
approximately 980 contractors.
Lake City AAP
Established in 1940, Lake City AAP consists of about 330
buildings on approximately 3,900 acres in Independence,
MO. The plant primarily produces small caliber
ammunition, cartridges, and related components (e.g.,
percussion, electric primers), and has been operated by Olin
Winchester since 2019. In 2022, on-site staff consisted of 1
military officer, 33 government civilians, and
approximately 1,890 contractors.
Radford AAP
Established in 1941, Radford AAP consists of about 1,040
buildings on approximately 6,800 acres, split into two sites:
the Radford manufacturing unit (4,000 acres) near Radford,
VA, and the New River storage unit (2,800 acres) near
Dublin, VA. The plant primarily produces propellants and
explosive munitions, and has been operated by BAE
Systems Ordnance Systems, Inc. since 2011. In 2022, on-
site staff consisted of 1 military officer, 23 government
civilians, and approximately 1,000 contractors.
Holston AAP
Established in 1942, Holston AAP consists of about 500
buildings on approximately 5,900 acres in Kingsport, TN.
The plant primarily develops, tests, and manufactures
various high explosive composite mixtures, and has been
operated by BAE Systems Ordnance Systems since 1998.
In 2022, on-site staff consisted of 1 military officer, 21
government civilians, and approximately 980 contractors.
