MSM North America, part of the Czechoslovak Group (CSG) holding company, which also controls Fiocchi (and Armi Perrazzi), has signed a contract with the US Department of Defence for the design and construction of an artillery ammunition production plant in the US.

The contract, which could be worth up to $632 million, concerns the so-called Future Artillery Complex (FAC): an automated plant for the production and loading of 155 mm shells that will be built at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant and will enable the production of 36,000 155 mm shells per month. This plant will enable the loading, assembly and packaging (LAP) of shells in a scalable, flexible and economically sustainable manner. The plant has been designed according to lean manufacturing principles and is based on the use of robotics, automation and integrated control and data acquisition systems (thus ensuring maximum safety for operators and consistently high product quality).

This state-of-the-art plant will enable a rapid transition from one product type to another, minimising downtime and ensuring efficient and economically sustainable operation at both full capacity and minimum sustainment rate (MSR), providing the US Army with a comprehensive and cost-effective tool to meet its needs in all conflict conditions.

Construction of the plant is expected to be completed in 40 months, with production scheduled to begin in September 2029. The plant will employ approximately 70 highly skilled professionals (divided between production, quality control and operational support) and will have a positive impact on the local area, helping to safeguard jobs in the Burlington/Middletown (Iowa) area for over 50 years.

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