The US Army and AMTEC Corporation have commissioned a new 40mm ammunition production line and indoor testing range at AMTEC’s Janesville, Wisconsin facility, reinforcing the service’s drive to boost domestic munitions output and modernize manufacturing processes. The development reflects growing emphasis on sustaining ammunition supplies amid rising global demand.
The facility spans 72,000 square feet and houses a newly installed production line for the M918E2 High Velocity Target Practice cartridge, as well as a 200-meter indoor range dedicated to testing and quality assurance. The Army invested roughly $21 million to establish the automated production capability, enabling higher throughput and improved manufacturing consistency.
Designed for use with the MK19, M203, and M320 grenade launcher systems, the M918E2 training round introduces safety enhancements that reduce the risk of unexploded duds on training ranges. It also features high-visibility impact markers observable under daylight, night, and thermal imaging, allowing soldiers to conduct more dynamic and realistic live-fire training.
The addition of the on-site test range simplifies testing operations, replacing a previous reliance on off-site law enforcement facilities that required additional coordination and security. The Janesville investment is part of the Army’s broader effort to reinforce the US defense industrial base, which has seen billions of dollars invested since 2022 in new facilities, production lines, and equipment upgrades across more than 10 munitions-related sites nationwide.
