For the first time in nearly 40 years, the U.S. Army will produce trinitrotoluene (TNT) domestically, reviving a crucial component in its ammunition supply chain.
In a recent press release, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell announced a $435 million contract awarded to Repkon USA to build the country’s first TNT production facility since the 1980s in Graham, Kentucky. Expected to reach an output of 100,000 rounds per month by fiscal year 2026, this facility will be essential for producing a variety of munitions, including bombs, hand grenades, and the highly demanded 155 mm artillery shells.
The decision to bring TNT production back to American soil follows heightened demand for munitions, particularly in response to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, where 155 mm artillery rounds play a significant role. Historically, the U.S. stopped manufacturing TNT in 1986 due to social, environmental, and health concerns related to its production process. Toxic waste generated from TNT production posed considerable risks to nearby ecosystems, leading to facility shutdowns in the United States. Since then, the military has relied on alternative explosives such as RDX and HMX, which offered greater stability and a lower environmental impact.
The new Kentucky facility will incorporate advanced technology to address past environmental and safety issues. This includes enhanced automation, digitization, and a cutting-edge waste-neutralization process designed to minimize pollution risks. Senator McConnell emphasized that “for the first time in decades, America will produce TNT on its own soil,” underscoring the importance of the facility for U.S. military readiness.
Senator McConnell and Major General John T. Reim, the Joint Program Executive Officer for Armaments and Ammunition, view this revival of domestic TNT production as essential to strengthening America’s defense industrial base.
“This history-making initiative underscores our commitment to strengthening our national security and reducing reliance on foreign sources for critical materials,” stated Maj. Gen. Reim.