Accession Number:

ADA513086

Title:

Small Arms Ammunition Production and Acquisition Strategy for the U.S. Army

Descriptive Note:

Master's thesis

Corporate Author:

ARMY COMMAND AND GENERAL STAFF COLL FORT LEAVENWORTH KS

Personal Author(s):

• Siekman, Mark W.

Report Date:

2009-12-11

Pagination or Media Count:

72.0

Abstract:

The purpose of this thesis is to investigate the defense industrial base capability to support small arms ammunition production for current and future operations. Improved production and supply chain efficiencies have led to a reduction in government-owned, contractor-operated facilities from 12 facilities during World War II to only one today. These reductions were driven by a reduction in small arms ammunition requirements due to force reductions and periods of peace. However, todays operations have dramatically increased these requirements beyond the current government-owned, contractor-operated production facilities production capabilities. The thesis also examines the contractors supply chain used in manufacturing small arms ammunition. Historical data from World War II, post-Cold War operations, and Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom were used as a research tool to develop the argument and determine the primary research question. The results show that current production meets current military requirements with the addition of some alternative sources.

Descriptors:

• *MUNITIONS INDUSTRY
• *INDUSTRIAL PREPAREDNESS
• *SMALL ARMS AMMUNITION
• *INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION
• *ARMY PROCUREMENT
• *ARMY
• *MILITARY REQUIREMENTS
• AFGHANISTAN CONFLICT
• SECOND WORLD WAR
• CONTRACTED SERVICES
• MILITARY FORCE LEVELS
• HISTORY
• LIMITATIONS
• THESES
• IRAQI WAR
• MANUFACTURING

Subject Categories:

• Manufacturing and Industrial Engineering and Control of Production Systems
• Military Forces and Organizations
• Logistics, Military Facilities and Supplies
• Ammunition and Explosives

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE