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1 1 (November 18, 2022)

handle is hein.crs/govejlf0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Congressional Research Servio informing the Iegislative debate since 1914 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 Ammunition Production Base . GOCO Ammunition Plants 0 Other Army Ammunition 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. iAAP

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