Pyrotechnics production facility at Crane set for $100M replacement
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Crane Army Ammunition Activity plans to invest nearly $100 million to replace its pyrotechnics production processes facility at Naval Support Activity Crane, the military installation announced Wednesday.
The new operation, which will include a primary and secondary facility, aims to provide expanded production capacity, as well as enhanced safety measures compared to the current facility, which was built about 80 years ago.
The facility produces a variety of pyrotechnic devices, including signal, smoke, illuminating and infrared (IR) items, illuminating projectiles, marine location markers, and IR flares for illumination in conjunction with night vision devices, according to the activity’s website.
The new complex will exceed 50,000 square feet of floor space. It will be located in a mostly vacant and wooded area just over a mile south of the current facility.
The installation said it will include additional manufacturing features such as remote operations capabilities, climate-controlled storage and magazines, curing huts and storage for finished items, as well as loading and packing capabilities.
“Pyrotechnics, and all its functions, was constructed in the 1940s when the base was developed,” said Lauren Shipman, a civil engineer working on the project. “The [new] building will be outfitted with brand new, modern-process equipment.”
Additional improvements include lunch and locker space for employees, fire protection and alarm systems, modernized information systems and cybersecurity measures.
“The new facility will be a process-flow setup for what we do today which will increase efficiency and throughput of our pyro items. Instead of one main building, there will be a primary and secondary facility with the ability to produce two different items concurrently. If the need arises, we could also double production of one item.”
The initial facility design phase is expected to be finished this spring, with follow-on design stages planned for later dates. The entire project is scheduled for completion during Fiscal Year 2031.
Crane Army Ammunition Activity was established in 1977 and produces conventional munitions in support of U.S. Army and Joint Force readiness.