The US Army is considering the termination of General Dynamics’ oversight of three new 155-millimeter artillery shell manufacturing lines in Texas.
Located in Mesquite, the Universal Artillery Projectile Lines (UAPLs) are part of the force’s strategy to increase its munition production to 100,000 per month in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The UAPL system has dedicated facilities for metal components, artillery rounds, and casings, with processes led by the company’s Ordnance and Tactical Systems (GD-OTS) segment.
Washington’s decision is based on the infrastructure performance that led to it missing completion dates multiple times, according to a show cause letter obtained by Breaking Defense.
UAPL Lines 1 and 2 missed their goals for November 2024 and April 2025, the paper said, adding that the March 2026 deadline for Line 3 is also at risk.
“Because GD-OTS has failed to meet significant milestones for UAPL 1, leading to six (6) missed First Article Test dates spanning April 2024 through June 2025, resultant schedule impacts have continued to extend [to] UAPL 2 and UAPL schedules,” the outlet reported, citing the document.
“Specifically, for Line 3, since January 2025 alone GD-OTS’ estimate for equipment installation slipped three (3) months, thus extending total installation timeframe and subsequent line prove-out activities into 2027.”
Although the letter strongly suggests a shift, it gave the firm 10 days to respond and prove its competency in designing and integrating Lines 1 and 2 to produce 10,000 projectile metal parts monthly, with another 10,000 parts for Line 3.
The army noted that a final decision has not been made, nor did the show-cause letter disclose potential defense contractors to replace GD-OTS.
