Teams unite to deliver state-of-the-art 6.8mm cartridge production capability strengthening America’s defense readiness.
Key Facts:
On January 28, 2026, the U.S. Army, Olin Corporation’s Winchester division, JE Dunn Construction (JE Dunn), and members of the design and trade partner teams celebrated the topping out of a new 508,345-square-foot ammunition production facility at the historic Lake City Army Ammunition Plant (LCAAP) in Independence, Missouri. This major milestone is a great step forward in supporting our nation’s warfighters as part of the U.S. Army’s 6.8mm cartridge production initiative.
JE Dunn is partnering with Olin and the U.S. Army to deliver two specialized ammunition production facilities: one building manufacturing ammunition components and one energetics facility for loading and final assembly. This collaborative delivery model aligns Olin’s operational expertise with the Army’s stringent requirements to produce 6.8 mm cartridges.
“This topping out marks a critical and exciting milestone for our project team,” said Shannon Lundy, Vice President at JE Dunn. “We are so thankful for our diverse team of key project stakeholders who are diligently working as one seamless team in support of our nation and our warfighters.”
Mike Chiles, Project Director at JE Dunn said, “Our trade partners onsite have been outstanding, working tirelessly through tough weather to deliver high‑quality work and keep the project on track. We’re proud to pause today and recognize them and everything they’ve done to reach this milestone.”
Once complete, the facility will further solidify Lake City’s role as a critical hub in the nation’s small-caliber ammunition production network. The modern complex will include testing laboratories, process quality controls, maintenance operations, administrative areas, and product packaging systems capable of producing all components of 6.8 mm ammunition.
“This new facility demonstrates the strength of our partnership with JE Dunn and the U.S. Army, delivering 6.8mm cartridge manufacturing capabilities that directly support our nation’s defense,” said Kevin Watson, Vice President of Special Projects at Olin Winchester. “Lake City has been central to our nation’s ammunition production since 1941, and this project builds on that proud legacy.”
Construction is guided by JE Dunn’s Delivery of Outcomes (DOW) program, which aligns all project partners around the mission-critical objectives central to this partnership. This structured approach leverages JE Dunn’s federal portfolio experience and integrated project delivery methods to meet stringent technical, security, and safety requirements while advancing the client’s long-term mission success.
The new ammunition facility is being designed and constructed to accommodate future modernization, enabling it to adapt to evolving mission needs, new munition types, and advanced production technologies over its lifecycle.
