Defense Industry
US Army seeks new makers of 155mm gun barrels as Watervliet cannot keep up with demand
The US Army is looking for new manufacturers of 155mm gun barrels, because the only government plant that makes them cannot meet rising demand. It wants companies able to produce up to 10 barrels a month within three years.
The US Army is looking for new manufacturers of 155mm gun barrels, amid concern in the Pentagon that the only government plant that makes them cannot meet rising demand. In a market-research notice (Sources Sought), reported by Defense News, it asks for companies able to make up to 10 barrels a month within three years. Responses are due by November 23.
Companies are asked to describe their own capacity, or that of their subcontractors, including whether they can apply chrome plating to the inner surface of steel tubes up to 30 feet (about 9 metres) long and weighing up to 7,500 pounds (about 3.4 tonnes). The Army also wants details of boring, milling and rifling capability, as well as raw materials such as the production of steel forgings, forging and heat treatment.
The notice asks for an estimate of 155mm barrel production capacity within 18 months and up to 10 barrels a month within 36 months. Companies must also provide a cost estimate for an initial production of 40 barrels, by calibre or for a flexible mix of calibres. It does not say how many new manufacturers are needed.
The Watervliet plant
Today the US Army makes large-calibre barrels for self-propelled and towed guns and for tanks only at the old Watervliet Arsenal in New York state. The US and Europe have focused on raising shell production to meet the needs of the war in Ukraine and refill their stocks. Another problem, however, is the lack of capacity to replace worn barrels, which have a limited life measured in rounds fired.
A 2024 Pentagon budget document said the intensive use of M777 guns in Ukraine created a need for more than 30 M776 barrels a month. The same document admitted that Watervliet could not meet the demand and asked for emergency funding for a second manufacturer.
At the same time the US Army is considering replacing the M777 with a weapon based on the Korean K9 self-propelled howitzer, and has already received the first Mobile Tactical Cannon from Hanwha. Munitions and weapons production also concerns Greece, which has been weighing alternative sources for munitions and weapons.