Radford Army Ammunition Plant
Encyclopedia
The primary mission of Radford Army Ammunition Plant (RFAAP) is to manufacture propellants and explosives in support of field artillery, air defense, tank, missile, aircraft and Navy weapons systems. RFAAP is currently operated by ATK Armament Systems
making it the sole supplier of TNT to the US Department of Defense
.
On May 12, 2011, the Army announced that BAE Systems
had won the "facilities use" contract to become the operator of the plant. BAE Systems also operates Holston Army Ammunition Plant
in nearby Kingsport, TN
.
, parent company ATK Armament Systems, obtained a “facilities use” contract. In 1999, RFAAP gained the load, assembly and pack mission with the closure of Joliet Army Ammunition Plant, Joliet, Ill.
At one time, the facility used an ALCO MRS-1
military diesel locomotive, road number B2072, for switching, but it was retired by the 1980s and was scrapped at Cycle Systems in Roanoke, Virginia
circa 1993.
657,003 square feet in rural Pulaski
and Montgomery
counties, near Radford, Virginia
.
Alliant Techsystems
Alliant Techsystems Inc., most commonly known by its ticker symbol, ', is one of the largest aerospace and defense companies in the United States with more than 18,000 employees in 22 states, Puerto Rico and internationally, and 2010 revenues in excess of an estimated...
making it the sole supplier of TNT to the US Department of Defense
United States Department of Defense
The United States Department of Defense is the U.S...
.
On May 12, 2011, the Army announced that BAE Systems
BAE Systems
BAE Systems plc is a British multinational defence, security and aerospace company headquartered in London, United Kingdom, that has global interests, particularly in North America through its subsidiary BAE Systems Inc. BAE is among the world's largest military contractors; in 2009 it was the...
had won the "facilities use" contract to become the operator of the plant. BAE Systems also operates Holston Army Ammunition Plant
Holston Army Ammunition Plant
The mission of Holston Army Ammunition Plant is to manufacture Research Department Explosive and High Melting Explosive for ammunition production and development. Research and development plays a vital role in the production of new and better explosives and products. It is government-owned and...
in nearby Kingsport, TN
Kingsport, Tennessee
Kingsport is a city located mainly in Sullivan County with some western portions in Hawkins County in the US state of Tennessee. The majority of the city lies in Sullivan County...
.
Capabilities
Capabilities of the center include: manufacturing propellant, manufacturing explosives.History
RFAAP was established April 5, 1941 as Radford Ordnance Works and New River Plant. In 1995, Alliant TechsystemsAlliant Techsystems
Alliant Techsystems Inc., most commonly known by its ticker symbol, ', is one of the largest aerospace and defense companies in the United States with more than 18,000 employees in 22 states, Puerto Rico and internationally, and 2010 revenues in excess of an estimated...
, parent company ATK Armament Systems, obtained a “facilities use” contract. In 1999, RFAAP gained the load, assembly and pack mission with the closure of Joliet Army Ammunition Plant, Joliet, Ill.
At one time, the facility used an ALCO MRS-1
ALCO MRS-1
The ALCO MRS-1 is a type of diesel-electric locomotive built by the American Locomotive Company for the United States Army Transportation Corps...
military diesel locomotive, road number B2072, for switching, but it was retired by the 1980s and was scrapped at Cycle Systems in Roanoke, Virginia
Roanoke, Virginia
Roanoke is an independent city in the Mid-Atlantic U.S. state of Virginia and is the tenth-largest city in the Commonwealth. It is located in the Roanoke Valley of the Roanoke Region of Virginia. The population within the city limits was 97,032 as of 2010...
circa 1993.
Facilities
RFAAP is housed on 6901 acres (27.9 km²) with 1,038 buildings, 214 igloos and storage capacity of657,003 square feet in rural Pulaski
Pulaski County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 35,127 people, 14,643 households, and 10,147 families residing in the county. The population density was 110 people per square mile . There were 16,325 housing units at an average density of 51 per square mile...
and Montgomery
Montgomery County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 83,629 people, 30,997 households, and 17,203 families residing in the county. The population density was 215 people per square mile . There were 32,527 housing units at an average density of 84 per square mile...
counties, near Radford, Virginia
Radford, Virginia
Radford is a city in Virginia, United States. The population was 16,408 in 2010. For statistical purposes, the Bureau of Economic Analysis combines the city of Radford with neighboring Montgomery County, including the towns of Blacksburg and Christiansburg, calling the combination the...
.