BAE Systems Ordnance Systems Inc. (OSI) has selected Hanwha Defense USA (HDUSA), the U.S. defense subsidiary of Hanwha Aerospace in South Korea, to modernize an existing production building at the Radford Army Ammunition Plant. Modernization of World War II-era facilities is important for national security. As BAE Systems continues to deliver vital capabilities to the warfighter, the focus on improving the safety of the process remains. BAE Systems’ legacy of modernizing while manufacturing, supported by HDUSA’s past experience in energetics facilities, will result in a state-of-the-art process to manufacture propellants.
“BAE Systems is fully committed to modernizing the Radford Army Ammunition Plant and furthering its support of the U.S. Army’s requirements. We are excited to collaborate with Hanwha Defense USA, as they will use their proven expertise to help us integrate advanced chemical processing capabilities into a manufacturing environment,” said John Swift, vice president and general manager of BAE Systems Ordnance Systems Inc.
“The upgrade is based on technology and experience that Hanwha has already completed in their Korean energetics facilities,” said John Kelly, president and CEO of HDUSA. “We look forward to implementing this upgrade at Radford and expanding our modernization collaboration with BAE Systems and the Army.”
Hanwha Defense USA (HDUSA) is a subsidiary of Hanwha Group, the largest and the most influential defense corporation in South Korea. Hanwha Defense is expanding its global business and establishing itself as a total defense solution provider by building on the strengths of its portfolio that include artillery systems, armored vehicles, air defense systems, and unmanned ground systems.
BAE Systems OSI has been the operating contractor of the Radford Army Ammunition Plant since 2012, and in December 2023, received the contract to continue operating the Holston Army Ammunition Plant in Kingsport, Tennessee through 2035. The company produce a full range of high-quality explosive and propellant products for the U.S. Department of Defense, Department of Energy and commercial customers. BAE Systems OSI is the operating contractor for the Holston Army Ammunition Plant located in Kingsport, Tenn., and for the Radford Army Ammunition Plant in Radford, Va. Both of these sites were built in the 1940s to support the war effort and have played an important role in every American conflict since then.
