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Army ‘considering terminating’ General Dynamics’ oversight of new 155mm production lines
BreakingDefence ^ | June 30, 2025 | Ashley roque

Posted on 07/02/2025 1:05:29 AM PDT by Reverend Wright

The US Army is considering scrapping General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (GD-OTS) management of three new 155mm artillery round production lines in Mesquite, Texas, according to a “show cause” letter obtained by Breaking Defense.

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and the heavy use of artillery, the Army rushed to bolster 155mm production and produce 100,000 shells per month. As part of that broader push, it opened a new government-owned facility in Texas, tapping GD-OTS to operate it and stand up three Universal Artillery Projectile Lines (UAPL) to produce the metal parts for artillery projectiles, including the shell casings.

That work, though, has not gone smoothly, and the service is now “considering terminating” the GD deals for all three UPLA lines, according to a June 13 letter from Army Contracting Command (ACC) to the company.

(Excerpt) Read more at breakingdefense.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Government
KEYWORDS: army; artillery; chat; dod; generaldynamics; mic; military; notyourdaddysamerica; texas; toobigtofail; zeepershardesthit; zeepershasthesads; zeepersindespair
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What a mess !

Something as basic as steel shells for artillery is now apparently beyond their capability.

1 posted on 07/02/2025 1:05:29 AM PDT by Reverend Wright
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To: Reverend Wright

The chicoms will be filing this and smiling...


2 posted on 07/02/2025 1:16:13 AM PDT by SuperLuminal (Where is rabble-rising Sam Adams now that we need him? Is his name Trump, now?)
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To: Reverend Wright

Thank God President Trump is bringing manufacturing back to the states.
We need to sharpen our skills.


3 posted on 07/02/2025 1:27:48 AM PDT by jacknhoo (Luke 12:51; Think ye, that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, no; but separation.)
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To: SuperLuminal

Well, China already knew there was problems.

The production equipment in the Texas fatory came from Turkey (Repkon)

Because the US vendors couldn’t supply in a reasonable timeline.


4 posted on 07/02/2025 1:32:00 AM PDT by Reverend Wright (Anschluss now !)
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To: jacknhoo

Yes. Many decades overdue.


5 posted on 07/02/2025 1:37:12 AM PDT by Reverend Wright (Anschluss now !)
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To: Reverend Wright
Ahh.
1986. Contract employee at Ford Motor Company my first CAD project off the Drafting Board.
Blow Molded 155mm Shell Container. We received the Govt contract because we were converting stamped steel fuel tanks to blow molded.
Got to give a presentation to a Kernel on how the CAD system worked (P.D.G.S.)
6 posted on 07/02/2025 1:39:51 AM PDT by MotorCityBuck (Keep the change, you are filthy animal !!s)
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To: MotorCityBuck

At the end of the Cold War the USA could produce 450K+ shells per month.

But that was scrapped and now they can’t do a tenth of that.

(p 5)

https://www.gao.gov/assets/nsiad-95-89.pdf


7 posted on 07/02/2025 1:51:03 AM PDT by Reverend Wright (Anschluss now !)
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To: Reverend Wright

“At the end of the Cold War the USA could produce 450K+ shells per month.”

Clinton had the assembly lines disassembled, and sold to China as scrap metal. They set them back up in China.

It’s not treason, if the President does it.


8 posted on 07/02/2025 2:23:21 AM PDT by BeauBo
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To: Reverend Wright

IIRC, Line 1 was supposed to be producing 2,500 155mm artillery shell parts per month, by June 15th. Or at least, that was the story 1 year ago.


9 posted on 07/02/2025 2:34:05 AM PDT by linMcHlp
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To: Reverend Wright

https://www.defensemagazine.com/article/turkish-repkon-engages-in-the-combat-against-the-shortage-of-155-mm-artillery-ammunition

Dec. 1, 2024 EXCERPT:

Repkon, based in Istanbul, has in recent weeks taken significant steps worldwide to help address the shortage of artillery ammunition. Repkon gained considerable media attention in October when reports emerged about its plans to build a new production facility in Mesquite, Texas, USA, under an agreement with the US Department of Defense (DoD).

According to available information, the facility will be capable of producing approximately 30,000 155 mm shells per month, significantly boosting the production of this type of ammunition in the US. However, this is not the end of Repkon’s efforts in the field of artillery ammunition.

In early November, US arms authorities awarded Repkon – USA Defense LLC, which represents the Istanbul-based company in the US, a contract to build a new TNT production plant in Kentucky. According to US military officials, this project is critical for the further development of artillery ammunition production in the US, as well as for strengthening national security.

The value of this contract is $435 million, and DoD officials describe it as a significant step forward in TNT production over the past several decades.


10 posted on 07/02/2025 2:48:20 AM PDT by linMcHlp
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To: Reverend Wright

We better get to work.😉


11 posted on 07/02/2025 3:35:07 AM PDT by MotorCityBuck (Keep the change, you are filthy animal !!s)
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To: Reverend Wright
“Because GD-OTS has failed to meet significant milestones for UAPL 1, leading to six (6) missed First Article Test dates... Additionally, the service said that even after it was determined that Line 1 equipment did not meet “technical requirements of the contract,”

But:

General Dynamics Information Technology - Glassdoor General Dynamics Information Technology has a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars, based on 1,819 anonymous employee ratings. - https://www.glassdoor.com/Culture/General-Dynamics-Information-Technology-DEI-E18661.htm
Aerospace firms make LGBT inclusion a priority - AZ Big Media Strong performers in this sector also include BAE Systems Inc. of Arlington, Va.; General Dynamics Corp. of Falls Church, Va.; - https://azbigmedia.com/business/workforce/aerospace-firms-make-lgbt-inclusion-a-priority/

12 posted on 07/02/2025 3:45:55 AM PDT by daniel1212 (Turn 2 the Lord Jesus who saves damned+destitute sinners on His acct, believe, b baptized+follow HIM)
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To: BeauBo
I watched the Clinton Administration auction off and cut up a large number of brand new , Reagan build up defense facilities that had just come on line.

They were either sold for scrap or cut up and sent to China despite the fact that they were designed from the git go to put into ready production moth balls. The contracts officers said the Clintons wanted ton destroy our military industrialmcpabiliry ans salt the fields so they could never be re constituted.

13 posted on 07/02/2025 3:50:22 AM PDT by rdcbn1 (TV )
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To: Reverend Wright
Something as basic as steel shells for artillery is now apparently beyond their America's capability.

When you offshore your industrial base you no longer have a large pool of talented foundries, engineers, tool and dye makers, machinists, factory workers - or rather robotics experts, with which to quickly gear up production.

You don't even have the civil engineers and manpower to design and erect the structure to house the production.

And you can't hire a gender studies grad, community organizer, or Starbucks barista to do it.

14 posted on 07/02/2025 3:58:41 AM PDT by Sirius Lee ("Never argue with a fool, onlookers may not be able to tell the difference.”)
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To: Reverend Wright

I dont think they are a simple as they used to be.


15 posted on 07/02/2025 4:22:27 AM PDT by Vermont Lt
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To: BeauBo

Did not know this. The Clintons are exceedingly wicked.


16 posted on 07/02/2025 4:26:52 AM PDT by SisterK (to do justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly)
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To: Reverend Wright

As I remember reading, in WWI, the British made about 170 million artillery shells.


17 posted on 07/02/2025 4:31:57 AM PDT by Brian Griffin
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To: Reverend Wright
The purpose of our procurement system has devolved into funding the procurement system itself without any obligation to produce working weapons.

There had better be a trail of DOD personnel chasing after GD for this screw-up or they need to be sacked as well.

DOD should also claw back any funding already disbursed for failure to perform.

18 posted on 07/02/2025 4:35:01 AM PDT by pierrem15 ("Massacrez-les, car le seigneur connait les siens" )
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To: daniel1212
I know someone who was mid-level finance at a big defense contractor who took early retirement when the company's DEI HR department made it clear there was no way forward for white males at the company.

He told me much of the top engineering talent was also walking away.

19 posted on 07/02/2025 4:38:20 AM PDT by pierrem15 ("Massacrez-les, car le seigneur connait les siens" )
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To: Vermont Lt
I dont think they are a simple as they used to be.

Unless you're talking about guided munitions, they haven't changed much since WWI. Maybe the fuses are more sophisticated. But the basic shells are the same.

20 posted on 07/02/2025 4:41:06 AM PDT by pierrem15 ("Massacrez-les, car le seigneur connait les siens" )
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