MSM North America, a subsidiary of the European defence and industrial group Czechoslovak Group (CSG), has been awarded a landmark contract by the U.S. Army to design, build, and commission the Future Artillery Complex (FAC)— the most advanced large-caliber ammunition loading facility in North America.
The contract, signed on August 15, 2025, with a value of up to $632 million, will deliver a state-of-the-art facility at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant. Once completed, the FAC will have the capacity to load 36,000 rounds of 155mm artillery ammunition per month, making it a critical component of U.S. and allied defence readiness.
The facility will integrate lean manufacturing principles, robotics, automation, and fully networked SCADA systems, ensuring both operator safety and consistent product quality. It will also provide the flexibility to shift seamlessly between product types, maintain efficiency at full capacity or minimum sustaining rates, and guarantee resilience under any wartime conditions.
Michal Strnad, Owner and Chairman of CSG (pictured above):
“This is a tremendous success, unique in that such trust has been placed in a company that is part of a European defence group. The project highlights CSG’s global reach and its ability to strengthen the defence readiness of our allies.”
Jason W. Gaines, CEO of MSM North America:
“We are deeply honoured by the trust the U.S. Army has placed in us. With the invaluable support of the CSG team, we are ready to deliver this transformative project together with our U.S. partners.”
Strengthening the Transatlantic Bond
CSG’s role was pivotal in securing the contract, providing technical expertise from its CSG Defence division and drawing on know-how from multiple European facilities. The project underscores CSG’s position as a trusted partner in the global defence industry and demonstrates how European expertise can directly contribute to strengthening U.S. defence capabilities.
CSG is a leading European producer of large-caliber ammunition with nearly full vertical integration — from TNT and nitrocellulose production to final 155mm and 120mm rounds. This comprehensive control over the supply chain ensures compliance with strict NATO standards and secures reliable deliveries, including significant supplies to Ukraine. With ongoing capacity expansions in Europe, CSG continues to reinforce NATO allies’ and Ukraine’s defence resilience.
About the Future Artillery Complex
The FAC will be the most advanced explosive loading facility in the world, designed for melt-cast explosive loading of current and next-generation 155mm artillery rounds. Construction will take about 40 months, with full commissioning scheduled for September 2029. The site will employ approximately 70 highly skilled personnel in manufacturing, quality assurance, and operations support, providing long-term economic benefits for the Burlington/Middletown, Iowa region.
MSM North America will act as prime contractor and project integrator, coordinating design, construction, and implementation with U.S. partners including WIELAND (construction), IPS Custom Automation (robotics and automation), DetTX (energetics and safety), Cromwell (architecture), SMS (safety engineering), Weldon (automation equipment), VJ Technologies (X-ray), and Lee Industries (fabrication).
The facility will comply with the strictest safety and environmental standards, including OSHA 1910.119(e), DoD Manual 4145.26, and MIL-STD-882E, and will operate as a Government Owned, Contractor Operated (GOCO) plant — ensuring surge capacity and continuity of supply.
By modernizing the U.S. Army’s industrial base and providing a flexible, scalable production capability, the FAC will become the primary source of 155mm LAP requirements for the U.S. Army, with potential to support Foreign Military Sales (FMS) and Direct Commercial Sales (DCS) across NATO and allied nations.
Photo Credit: CSG
By: Katerina Urbanova
