No modern military weapon uses gunpowder (to the best of my knowledge) so if that was all that this plant produced, then it was unlikely to be counter-action. If, on the other hand, it was sloppy reporting, then it becomes a possibility.
Modern weapons use what is generically called cordite which is a nitrocellulose-based (guncotton derivative) that was originally known as ‘smokeless powder’ for the amazing difference to original gunpowder. With the exception of period weapons and idiot LEFTists, gunpowder was generally phased out of weapon use in the late 1800s.
Gunpowder is commonly used to refer to smokeless powder as well as black powder for a hundred years.
“No modern military weapon uses gunpowder (to the best of my knowledge) ...
Modern weapons use what is generically called cordite ... originally known as ‘smokeless powder’ for the amazing difference to original gunpowder. ... generally phased out of weapon use in the late 1800s.” [SES1066, post 16]
You are incorrect.
“Gunpowder” - often called black powder today - has not been completely superseded in military munitions employment. Small amounts (compared to the main propelling charge) are still used in igniters, and in additives to tube artillery propellants, intended to reduce fouling; also in saluting charges.
Cordite is a British term. It does not refer to its chemical composition (which as a nitro {”smokeless”} propellant is composed of nitrated cellulose, nitroglycerin, and a binder of petroleum jelly), but to its physical shape: several strands of spaghetti-like appearance are loaded into a cartridge, instead of a specific volume of small granular particles.
Black powder was superseded by nitro propellants in military rifle rounds pretty hurriedly after 1886, when the French began loading “Poudre B” (literally, “white powder”) into their new 8x50Rmm Lebel rounds. The United States military formally adopted a smokeless-powder rifle round in 1892 - the last of all major powers to do so.
But it lingered as a shotshell propellant for some years, and as a propellant in handgun cartridges originally designed to handle it, prior to that.
Black powder was used in 45-70 ammunition for the M1873 “Trapdoor” Springfield rifle, which remained in storage in some National Guard Armories as late as 1940. Black powder was loaded in the 45 Colt revolver cartridge (last issued for the M1909 Colt’s double action revolver, adopted by the Army and by USMC), for initial loadings of the 32 S&W Long (1896) and the 38 Special (1899). 44 Special - an “upgrade” of S&W’s venerable 44 Russian - was the first revolver cartridge designed from the outset to be loaded with nitro propellant.
Sporting use of black powder continues, by historical reenactors, and devotees of hunting/target shooting using orginal pattern arms.