politics
Texas Plant Produced No 155mm Parts While Overall U.S. Output Rose to 36,000 Rounds Monthly
A Pentagon watchdog report found that the Mesquite, Texas plant operated by General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems has made none of the expected projectile metal parts. Army production of 155mm rounds reached 36,000 per month as of March 2026, well below the 100,000 target.
Jul 14, 11:28 AM·1m read1 source
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A Pentagon watchdog report found that an ammunition plant in Mesquite, Texas, has produced no parts for 155mm artillery rounds in the roughly two years since it opened. CBS News reported that the facility, operated by General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, was built to support the Army's effort to replenish stocks depleted by aid to Ukraine.
Over the past four years the Pentagon used 3.6 million 155mm rounds, with more than 3 million sent to Ukraine, 112,000 used for training and testing, and 218,000 sold to other countries.
The Army set a 2024 goal to increase monthly production from 14,000 rounds to 100,000 by October 2025 and invested in the Mesquite plant, which opened in May 2024. As of March 2026 the Army was producing about 36,000 rounds per month. The Mesquite plant produced none of the 30,000 projectile metal parts it was expected to deliver each month.
An Army spokesperson confirmed to CBS News that the March 2026 figures remained accurate in July 2026. The report stated that with only three facilities making the required parts, the Pentagon will reach 71,000 rounds per month by September 2026, or 71 percent of its monthly goal.
The Army contracting office requested the plant stop work in August 2025 while officials evaluated whether it could meet its obligations.
The Pentagon requested more than $70 billion this year for missile procurement, nearly three times last year's amount.
