Amidst US Army efforts to bolster 155mm artillery round production, a venture-backed startup, Union, is entering the market with a new production facility near Dallas, Texas, aiming to address what they see as a decline in American manufacturing capabilities.
Rebuilding Manufacturing Might
„The core issue is that we no longer build the machines that build things in this country, and we’ve forgotten how to forge steel,” said Joe Musselman, chairman and co-founder of Union. He and co-founder and CEO Will Somerindyke, backed by Bravo Victor Venture Capital (BVVC), are determined to reverse this trend.
Ambitious Production Goals
In 2024, Union secured over $52 million in just over two months to establish a 155mm production facility in Carrollton, Texas. The objective is to create two production lines capable of manufacturing 60,000 155mm shells per month by late 2026. The first line, employing 50 to 75 workers, is expected to produce its initial sample by year-end, with the second line operational by 2026.
Innovative Production Methods
„We initially envisioned a traditional production line,” Musselman noted. However, through the efforts of engineers, integrators, and metallurgists, they have reduced the line’s size by 30 to 40 percent and increased capacity using advanced robotics and machining. These advancements will be incorporated into the second production line.
Challenges in Sourcing and Onshoring
Musselman emphasized the difficulty of integrating various components, mapping supply chains, and onshoring education to the United States. „Only a few people worldwide make these large machines,” he explained.
Global Demand and Production Bottlenecks
Union’s production lines are slated to open as global demand for artillery stockpiles surges due to the rapid consumption of rounds in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. However, scaling production has faced numerous obstacles.
In the US, most 155mm shells are produced in Army-managed facilities operated by General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (GD-OTS) and American Ordnance. The Army had aimed to produce 100,000 155mm rounds by October, but a six-month delay is now anticipated.
Army spokesman Steven Warren cited multiple factors for the delay, including the dispersed manufacturing locations of artillery shell components, which can cause bottlenecks at any point in the supply chain. In June, Breaking Defense reported that the Army was considering ending GD-OTS’s management of three new 155mm artillery round production lines in Mesquite, Texas.
Competition and Collaboration
The high demand for 155mm shells has attracted other firms, including Divergent 3D, which is exploring options for manufacturing 155mm or Stinger bodies.
Union is seeking contracts as a prime contractor or subcontractor. „If GD-OTS called us tomorrow and asked for our help supporting a prime contract for metal parts, we would be 100 percent okay with that,” Musselman said. „This is about the United States winning and being able to produce things at scale.”
Initial Contracts and Future Prospects
Union has secured its first deal with Regulus Global, valued at around $221 million, to sell an undisclosed number of 155mm shells to the US government and NATO allies. Union CEO Somerindyke also chairs Regulus.
„It’s a ramp up … so down payment this year, 10 percent to 20 percent down payment next year, all milestone tranche-based, and then we will go into the full amount of that contract … [in] 2027,” Musselman said.
Union is also pursuing upcoming US government requests for proposals, potentially boosting orders. The recent reconciliation bill includes provisions for artillery production. The Army’s fiscal 2026 budget request includes $219 million for 31,369 155mm rounds, nearly $47 million more than the FY25 budget.
