U.S. Army initiates major modernization at Pine Bluff and Anniston depots

The U.S. Army is implementing significant modernization projects at two major military installations to strengthen the organic industrial base.

At the Pine Bluff Arsenal, nearly $33 million is being invested in production and facility upgrades. This includes a five-year, $19 million project to modernize the production of smoke grenades and smoke pots, alongside $13.7 million in fiscal year 2024 funding for facility renovations. The investment aims to replace 25-year-old obsolete equipment with new automated systems and modernized fluidized bed mixers to increase production capacity.

Simultaneously, the Anniston Army Depot has launched the FORGE (Facilities, Operations, Readiness, Growth and Experience) program. A massive modernization effort valued at $986.97 million, with an initial obligation of $658.17 million, was awarded to Brasfield & Gorrie. This program utilizes Other Transaction Authority to accelerate acquisition timelines and includes four major military construction projects and 19 consolidated repair and maintenance projects. Additionally, a $60.1 million Architect-Engineer contract was awarded to GM Hill-Baker JV for technical design and project management.