Trinitrotoluene (and more specifically as 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene) is quite the mouthful, which is why it is more commonly known as TNT. It is an odorless chemical compound that does not occur naturally in the environment and is a mixture of toluene, nitric acid, and sulfuric acid. It is used as a reagent in chemical synthesis but is best known as an explosive material.
While it may not actually be the world’s most powerful non-nuclear explosive – as other chemicals rival its explosive capabilities – the fact remains that it is used in everything from standard bombs, hand grenades, and most notably 155mm artillery shells. However, despite how widely employed it is in military uses, the United States hasn’t produced TNT in nearly four decades.
That is now about to change.
New $435 Million Facility in Kentucky
The U.S. Army’s Joint Program Executive Office Armaments & Ammunition and U.S. Army Contracting Command – Rock Island announced recently that a contract action with a ceiling of $435 million has been awarded to REPKON USA – Defense LLC to design, build, and commission a TNT production facility in Graham, KY. The award is meant to reestablish TNT production on U.S. soil after decades of relying on partners and allies for the material.
“The contract is being executed as a sole-source undefinitized contract action under the authority of Section 3204(a)(7) of Title 10, United States Code (10 U.S.C. 3204(a)(7)), and Subsection 1244(a)(2) of the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023,” the Army said in the announcement.
“This is a major step forward in rebuilding our industrial base and ensuring we have the critical capabilities to support our warfighters,” explained Douglas Bush, assistant secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology. “Reshoring TNT production gives us the ability to control and secure our supply chain for this vital component, especially in an era of increasing global challenges.”
Strengthening the Defense Industrial Base
Since 1986, the U.S. has relied on foreign sources of TNT, and reestablishing domestic production capability has been seen as increasingly vital for national defense. The accelerated timeline to get the facility in Kentucky’s Muhlenberg County will support the U.S. Army’s goal of rapidly replenishing its critical munitions inventory and maintaining readiness for future conflicts.
“This new state-of-the-art facility is essential to the JPEO A&A’s mission to develop, procure and field safe, reliable and lethal munitions to our joint warfighters and international partners,” said Maj. Gen. John T. Reim, Joint Program executive officer for Armaments and Ammunition. “This project will also further strengthen our defense industrial base, enabling munitions production at speed and scale.”
According to the U.S. Army, the award is also part of JPEO A&A’s efforts “to address potential supply chain vulnerabilities and enhance national security by securing uninterrupted access to crucial materials.” It has sought to “reshore” essential resources, including rare earth minerals, chemicals, and electronics, which the U.S. Army maintains will help reinforce its defense industrial base against global uncertainties.
Cleaner and Greener TNT Production
Domestic production of TNT ended almost four decades ago and was based on social as well as environmental issues. As Interesting Engineering explained, the process of manufacturing the chemical compound is far from a clean one. “[It] includes the use of some highly toxic substances, which are risky to the health of the workers and the surrounding ecosystem. In addition, undiluted waste materials, especially those from TNT production processes, can pose an extreme risk, as they tend to contaminate the soils and water bodies surrounding the plants.”
The new facility in Graham, KY will employ advanced technology to enhance automation and digitization, but it will also utilize a new waste-neutralization process.
The result will offer the same explosive properties but with a greener production process.
A Boost for Kentucky and National Defense
“For the first time in decades, America will produce TNT on its own soil, manufacturing the explosive material our military uses for everything from hand grenades to 155mm artillery,” said Senator Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky), who is stepping down from his Republican leadership role but will serve out his term, which ends after the 2026 midterm elections. “I am proud that the National Security Supplemental I championed in the Senate will bring home $435 million in federal funding to establish this TNT capability right here in Kentucky, helping retool the defense industrial base our military relies on.”
