ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, Ill.—Rock Island Arsenal-Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center is breaking new ground in Army modernization with the installation of an advanced, fully automated paint line featuring rotary atomizer technology.
“The work we’re doing here at RIA-JMTC is a direct reflection of the Army’s modernization strategy,” said Col. David Guida, RIA-JMTC commander. “This new paint line doesn’t just improve our efficiency—it strengthens the entire Defense Industrial Base by reducing vulnerabilities, increasing adaptability and ensuring we’re ready for the challenges of tomorrow.”
This cutting-edge system, developed in partnership with veteran-owned Industrial Coating Services, Inc., is a pivotal step in reshaping the Organic Industrial Base to meet the Army’s enduring and future needs. This initiative exemplifies the Army’s commitment to modernizing the OIB to ensure strategic readiness and sustainability for large-scale combat operations. By synchronizing resources toward critical facilities and capabilities, the Army is building the capacity to sustain its enduring and future systems while mitigating supply chain risks and reducing reliance on foreign sources.
“Our partnership with ICS reflects the Army’s broader vision for modernization,” said Guida. “By bringing innovative solutions to the table, we’re helping the Army harden and protect its key assets while enhancing its capacity to meet mission-critical requirements.”
The automated paint line is the first in any Department of Defense facility to feature rotary atomizer technology. This innovation offers unparalleled precision, reduces material waste and minimizes environmental impact. Such advancements directly align with the Army Materiel Command’s modernization goals, ensuring the OIB remains a strategic asset capable of meeting current, surge and future requirements.
“This is bells and rotary atomizers, which is the key to the whole system and it's the only one going in in any one of the bases in the United States,” said Randy Johnson, Founder and CEO of ICS. “The uniqueness of the bells is that it's been used in the automotive industry for large parts. I'm adapting it to small parts lines, and this is one of them.”
The installation of this paint line supports the Army’s effort to harden and protect the Defense Industrial Base and Joint Strategic Support Area against threats in all domains, including cyber. By integrating automation, robotics and advanced digital controls, the system not only enhances production capabilities but also safeguards critical operations from disruption.
“The Defense Industrial Base is the center of gravity for the next large-scale combat operations,” Guida emphasized. “By modernizing facilities like RIA-JMTC, we’re ensuring that our industrial capabilities are secure, resilient and ready to support the Warfighter under any conditions.”
The new system also represents a significant leap forward in safety and ergonomics for the RIA-JMTC workforce. By automating hazardous and repetitive tasks, the paint line protects employees from exposure to environmental dangers while improving operational efficiency.
“Our people are at the heart of everything we do,” said Guida. “Modernizing our processes isn’t just about advancing technology—it’s about creating a safer, more effective environment for our workforce while delivering on our promise to the Warfighter.”
The Army’s OIB modernization implementation plan focuses on synchronizing resources to prioritize critical facilities and capabilities, ensuring readiness across the Joint Force. Projects like the paint line installation at RIA-JMTC are vital to reducing single points of failure and increasing the Army’s ability to adapt to changing operational demands.
“Modernization isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a necessity,” said Guida. “By investing in advanced technologies and strengthening our supply chains, we’re ensuring the Army can meet today’s challenges and anticipate the needs of tomorrow.”
The rotary atomizers in this paint line, already widely used in the automotive industry, are a game-changer for defense manufacturing. They provide superior coating consistency and flexibility, allowing RIA-JMTC to quickly adapt to changes in production demands. It also will not force a reduction in the workforce, rather, it will allow employees to retool their skillsets.
“We're not removing people, we're moving them,” Johnson said. “With this system, we can remove personnel from hazardous areas and utilize them outside the booth in roles like quality control.”
This capability is crucial for maintaining the Army’s strategic readiness, particularly during surge requirements or supply chain disruptions.
“This is about building resilience into every part of the process,” said Guida. “Whether we’re producing components for current systems or scaling up for future demands, this technology ensures we’re ready to deliver.”
The automated paint line’s installation also underscores the importance of partnerships between the Army and industry. Through close collaboration with companies like ICS, the Army continues to innovate and invest in emerging technologies, ensuring that the OIB remains a critical enabler for mission success.
As RIA-JMTC prepares for the paint line’s operational launch in June 2025, the impact of this modernization effort is already evident. By enhancing production efficiency, reducing costs and safeguarding its workforce, RIA-JMTC is setting a new standard for what the OIB can achieve.
“Modernization is the key to our future,” Guida concluded. “With this paint line, RIA-JMTC is demonstrating that we’re not just keeping pace with change—we’re leading it. Together with our industry partners, we’re building an Army that’s more adaptable, more flexible and more lethal, ensuring that we remain the best fighting force in the world.”
This project is just one part of the Army’s broader effort to continuously transform and remain dominant across all domains. By modernizing its industrial base, the Army is ensuring that it remains capable of outpacing adversaries, whether on traditional battlefields or in emerging frontiers like cyberspace and logistics.
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