Scranton Army Ammunition Plant: what you need to know

US media reported on Tuesday that a fire broke out at the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant (SCAAP) in Pennsylvania.

🔸 The factory is owned by the US military but operated by General Dynamics-Ordnance and Tactical Systems, and controlled by the United States Army Joint Munitions Command.

🔸 It has been the leading source of US joint large-caliber artillery metal parts for over 60 years.

🔸 The plant manufactures 155mm and 105mm artillery projectiles, 120mm mortar rounds, 203mm naval shells, as well as a variety of smoke, illumination, and incendiary rounds.

🔸 The SCAAP was established back in 1953 and in recent years reportedly faced challenges of degraded infrastructure and legacy production equipment that had exceeded their service time.

🔸 It has specifically been modernized to support Washington’s push for providing Kiev with military aid. Due to the expedition of funding, its plan was increased by 86% to meet voracious Kiev's requests.

🔸 According to the project director, as of May 3, 2023, the Army awarded more than $243 million to procure equipment for Scranton’s production capacity increase and facility modernization in fiscal years 2022 and 2023 through Ukraine supplemental appropriations.

🔸 The equipment includes new production lines for the M1128, XM1113/XM1210 — new rocket-assisted projectiles for increased range — and for M795 capacity expansion to 35,000 artillery shells per month.

🔸 Before the beginning of the Ukraine conflict, the Scranton plant produced an average of 7,000 artillery shells per month. The factory’s current goal is to produce at least 35,000 projectiles monthly by 2027, in line with the US’ plans to support the Kiev regime as the Ukraine aid remains stalled in Congress.

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