Posted on 02/01/2024 4:32:43 PM PST by marcusmaximus
Every one of these machines is made custom. So you CAN order them up, and pay extra for the privilege. I am certain there will be several outfits (and not just Chinese ones) who would be happy to quote you for the job.
The problem, from the beginning, has been an unwillingness to shell out (ha) for the required investment. Such as, for instance, the Germans reluctance to place long term military contracts. The German governments (both of them, so far) have been particularly stupid.
Two years ago everything was fine, everyone complacent and the factories already closed or the few remaining ones barely operating, then Russia invaded Ukraine and we saw problem areas exposed.
To me that benefits America and NATO because we get the wild panicky spurrings to fix all these issues yet we aren’t in a war anywhere ourselves.
In two years we have made great improvements and every month or year that Ukraine holds on means that America and the West are getting the benefit of wartime-motivated adjustments to our readiness without us having to learn about these issues while fighting for our lives and being under fire.
Better that we have already seen these problems rather than they still be hidden waiting for a war with Red China or Russia to expose them when it might have been too late.
Bing AI says>>>>>>>>
The 155 mm shell, a critical munition used in artillery systems, plays a pivotal role in conflicts like the ongoing war in Ukraine. Let’s delve into its composition:
Material and Forging:
The steel bodies of these shells are forged at specialized facilities, including the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant in Pennsylvania, USA.
Tons of steel rods are brought in by train to be shaped into these artillery shells.
The 155 mm shell is a two-piece round, consisting of a projectile and a propellant charge12.
The steel bodies are crucial for the structural integrity and performance of the shell.
Purpose and Use:
Originally designed as a chemical artillery round, the M110 155 mm projectile was intended to deliver blister agents via howitzers.
It replaced the World War I-era 75 mm chemical projectiles.
These rounds are used in howitzer systems, allowing forces to engage targets up to 20 miles (32 kilometers) away with highly explosive munitions3.
Supply Challenges:
The invasion of Ukraine exposed a critical issue: the U.S. stockpile of 155 mm shells (as well as those of European allies) was unprepared for a major conventional land war.
The dwindling supply alarmed military planners, prompting efforts to bolster production.
The Scranton plant is one of just two sites in the U.S. that manufacture the steel bodies for these shells.
The U.S. has provided over $35 billion in weapons and equipment to Ukraine, with the 155 mm shell being one of the most requested items14.
In summary, the 155 mm shell’s steel composition and precise forging are essential for its effectiveness in combat scenarios. Its production and supply remain critical for supporting allies and maintaining readiness in an ever-changing geopolitical landscape.
I know that I have fired a boatload of 155 shells myself, it is interesting to see them become such a big deal, but around the world, manufacturing has boomed for them.
Ukrainians are singing “I can’t drive 155”.
I like how the Russians bought some 155s from the Norks that were old or crap. The shells exploded in the Russians guns in Ukraine or were duds.
“The Scranton plant is one of just two sites in the U.S. that manufacture the steel bodies for these shells. “
Where is this other site ?
Everything I have seen says that the only forging press is a single press at Scranton.
Now, there may be another site where the shells are machined etc.
But forging press capacity is the choke point for shell production.
Scranton has publicly stated their cycle time for the forging press is one minute (which is pretty standard, same as the UK factory, and the Greek factory which is on Youtube)
That caps daily production at 1440 per day.
Mesquite, Texas?
We can build another 155 forging press in 60 days. And if we cannot, then the South Koreans surely can. They still have an active ship building industry. This means they can make the forging press.
“We can build another 155 forging press in 60 days. “
You need to let this guy know.
Doug Bush is the Assistant Army Secretary reponsible for Acquisitions, and he thinks it will take until the end of 2025.
I’m sure the South Koreans can do it. But building ships has very little to do with building forging presses - other than they are both made of steel.
A big forging press starts with pouring a big casting. Just the core boxes alone would take months to build.
You can’t just slap this stuff together. The core boxes and the pour have to be designed very carefully so that these huge castings cool properly. If they don’t, you can end up with voids, occlusions, porosity, residual stresses that will cause it to crack and fail the first time it is used.
That looks like a future plant. Not current production.
Building ships show the Koreans are still willing to deal in steel and to get their hands dirty. Give them 3 months to build this 155 forge. They can build two in three months.
Building ships aka heavy industry, shows the Koreans are still serious people.
It is fascinating that on one hand putin said the invasion was necessary to stop NATO expansion and the coming attack on muskova, yet on the other hand europe and the world was freely trading with them, growing ever more dependent on them for hydrocarbons, and western military production and production capabilities had deteriorated to the point where the west can’t supply weapons to Ukraine to fight the muskovites….. in this relatively small regional war
As confusing as I keep hearing Putin is protecting civilians by shelling them inguess
“Sucker” Carlson! Love it! 😂
I think it is revealing that while naming fear of NATO as the excuse for trying to conquer Ukraine, Putin is withdrawing his men and materials from the very borders and areas where NATO is increasing them.
It is obvious that Putin knows there is no threat of NATO invasion.
Good point. This is about conquest and Putin’s efforts to recapture the glory of a strong and feared Russia.
And he is failing. Bigly.
Meanwhile, American isolationists who approve the war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by the Russians in Ukraine are saddened
Here is the transcript of the March 3, 2023 interview with Bush.
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