The Scranton Army Ammunition Plant manufactures large-caliber metal projectiles for the Joint Warfighter, and the facility has steadily increased production levels of 155 mm artillery rounds over the last several years.
SCAAP, a subordinate of the Army Materiel Command and the Joint Munitions Command, has done so in support of U.S. Department of Defense warfighting requirements to include bolstering Ukraine’s ammunition stockpile.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy toured SCAAP on Sunday afternoon and received a firsthand account of the dedication of the artisan workforce. SCAAP is a government-owned, contractor-operated plant.
From 2009 to 2017, production levels remained steady at SCAAP — around 9,000 rounds per month. Currently, the three production facilities in Pennsylvania, which includes SCAAP, have ramped up their output to 36,000 rounds monthly.
“Scranton ensures warfighters have the ammo when and where needed, and continues to bolster U.S. stockpiles around the globe,” said Lt. Gen. Chris Mohan, Deputy Commanding General and Acting Commander, U.S. Army Materiel Command. “These actions are not only beneficial to Ukraine, but also enable us to enhance our own stockpiles.”
AMC develops and delivers materiel readiness solutions to ensure globally dominant land force capabilities. JMC, which has 17 arsenals, depots, and plants around the country, is responsible for the production, storage, distribution, and demilitarization of conventional munitions for the DOD.
“JMC has provided 125,000 short tons of ammunition in support of Ukraine over the past two years,” said Brig. Gen. Ronnie Anderson Jr., JMC’s Commander. “This assistance demonstrates a commitment to fostering international security and strategic collaborations.
“With the support of other Army commands and industry partners, we have delivered ready, reliable, and lethal munitions in greater quantities than ever before,” Anderson added.
Rich Hansen, who has served as the Commander's Representative at SCAAP since 2009, stated that SCAAP’s workforce plays a pivotal role in supporting readiness and responding to global demands for munitions.
“I can’t thank the dedicated men and women of SCAAP enough for their support of Warfighters around the world. The workforce is the reason for our success,” said Hansen, who donned a U.S. Navy uniform for 23 years before beginning his Army Civilian career. “Our Warfighters deserve the best, and that starts with ensuring they have the munitions they need to succeed.”
Since the beginning of the Ukraine-Russia conflict, the Army, through the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology, has allocated $4 billion toward modernizing its munitions production facilities. These upgrades have significantly increased production levels, ensuring a more robust supply chain for critical defense needs.
At SCAAP, modernization initiatives have involved upgrading and adding several long-stroke vertical hydraulic forge press lines, over 100 hydraulic tracer and CNC lathes, numerous automated paint lines, and multiple heat treatment furnaces for austenitizing, quenching, and tempering.
The integration of advanced automation and quality control systems at SCAAP has enhanced efficiency and precision in the manufacturing process. These efforts not only improve production capacity but also ensure that munitions meet the highest standards of reliability and performance, which are crucial for supporting military operations.
“We are redefining our operations to address the challenges of a constantly evolving landscape,” Hansen said. “Our commitment to modernization and collaboration ensures that we are not only meeting current demands but also prepared for future challenges.”
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