“Without the 30,000 additional projectile metal parts anticipated from the Mesquite facility, the Army will be unable to reach its monthly capability goal of 100,000 155‑mm artillery rounds,” the War Department’s Office of Inspector General (DOWIG) wrote in a report released this month.
DOWIG: Mesquite produced no M795 projectile parts as of March 2026
The DOWIG report found that the Universal Artillery Projectile Line in Mesquite, Texas — a contractor‑owned, contractor‑operated facility run by General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (GD‑OTS) and built with nearly $500 million in Army supplemental funding from FY2022–FY2023 — had not produced a single projectile metal subcomponent meeting contract specifications as of March 2026. The Army had planned for the Mesquite facility to supply parts sufficient for 30,000 rounds per month; without those parts, the report concluded, the Army cannot reach its 100,000‑round monthly goal.
How equipment choices created a high‑risk production plan
Inspectors traced the shortfall to a decision to adapt existing equipment designed to make M107 155mm parts to produce parts for the newer M795 projectile. DOWIG reported that the Army’s Capability Program Executive Ammunition & Energetics (CPE A&E) accepted the contractor’s plan — and its attendant risk — because the M107 production equipment was already available and was judged faster to adapt than buying new M795 line equipment.
The report states CPE A&E characterized the Mesquite effort as a “high‑risk, high‑reward opportunity,” and that the contractor had been working since November 2022 to acquire and adapt the equipment. Specific examples of the adaptation problems in the report were redacted, but DOWIG concluded the adaptations resulted in “significant challenges” that prevented production of acceptable rounds.
Contracting choices, Scranton ties, and ACC’s response
DOWIG noted the Mesquite task order was issued under the existing property management contract tied to the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant (SCAAP) and that Scranton officials had raised concerns about the contractor’s responsiveness, equipment maintenance, and timeliness. The report said Scranton officials were concerned the Mesquite award had not been opened to competition.
The Army Contracting Command (ACC) disputed how that relationship was characterized. ACC told DOWIG it had documented a Determination of Contractor Responsibility and received concurrence to execute the task orders on a sole‑source basis under contract W52P1J‑19‑D‑0075, and said the contract scope allowed for operation at a privately‑owned facility. ACC also said it provided notification to Congress before execution.
Numbers: current production, past depletion, and the revised timeline
Inspectors reported the Army had raised monthly production from 14,000 to 36,000 155‑mm rounds through modernization and expansions at existing projectile metal parts and load, assemble, and pack facilities — well short of the 100,000‑round target set in the 2025 National Defense Industrialization Strategy Implementation Plan. The report emphasized combined U.S. depletion of more than 3.6 million rounds since the start of the war in Ukraine: about 3 million donated to Ukraine, more than 111,000 used for training and testing, and nearly 218,000 sold to foreign customers.
The Army told DOWIG that, despite missing the October 2025 goal, modernization of the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant and the addition of two new load, assemble, and pack facilities in Kansas and Arkansas put it on track to reach 140,000 155‑mm rounds per month by December 2027 — 40,000 rounds per month above the NDIS plan goal, but more than a year later than initial expectations.
How the Army, General Dynamics, and foreign customers are positioned
- The Army/CPE A&E: CPE A&E told DOWIG it will “correct issues identified in this report, and develop and implement a corrective action plan.” The Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology stated the “United States Army concurs with the report as written.”
- General Dynamics (GD‑OTS): Company action is already underway. Bloomberg reporting cited in the DOWIG summary said General Dynamics announced it would “invest $200 million of its own money and unwind a partnership with Turkish defense contractor Repkon,” replacing Repkon‑provided equipment that “failed to meet required standards” with hardware and management from Deterrence Defense.
- Foreign customers and partners: The shortfall directly affects replenishment plans. DOWIG framed the Mesquite failure against the background of millions of rounds donated and sold abroad, noting that the Mesquite output was meant to help restore U.S. stocks depleted by donations to Ukraine and foreign military sales.
The DOWIG report presents a clear sequence: a high‑risk adaptation choice, a contractor unable to deliver parts to specification, internal concerns tied to the Scranton relationship, and an Army now relying on corrective actions and additional investments to restore its production trajectory. The shortfall leaves the Army operating far below the 100,000‑round benchmark for now, and places pressure on the corrective plan, General Dynamics’ stated $200 million investment and equipment replacements, and the December 2027 buildup that Army officials say will exceed the original goal.
Original story: https://www.twz.com/land/new-500m-artillery-shell-plant-failed-to-produce-any-155mm-parts
