2 injured, 1 missing in explosion at Arkansas defense weapons plant
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General Dynamics weapons factory produces Javelin and Hellfire warheads and charges for artillery shells.
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Ukrainian servicemen fire an FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank missile during training near Donetsk, on December 22, 2021. (AFP/Ukrainian Defense Ministry)
An explosion at a General Dynamics weapons factory in Camden, Arkansas, has resulted in two injuries and one person missing, according to company spokesperson Berkley Whaley.
The incident occurred just after 8 am Wednesday. Initially described as a "pyrotechnics incident" by Whaley, it was later confirmed as an explosion.
“At this time, we are working with first responders and can confirm the incident resulted in at least two injuries and one missing individual,” Whaley said in a statement. “We are cooperating fully with the authorities as they conduct their investigation.”
Whaley did not provide additional details regarding the severity of the injuries or the extent of damage to the factory. However, according to Calhoun County Judge Floyd Nutt speaking to the Arkansas Democrat and Gazette, the incident is significant, marking the first of its kind at the Camden plant.
The big picture
The facility specializes in manufacturing and testing "energetic products", which are explosive components used in missiles, rockets, and projectiles. General Dynamics' 880,000 square foot (81,750 square meters) plant produces Hydra rockets, Hellfire and Javelin warheads, 120mm mortars, and propellant charges for 155mm artillery shells, as stated on the company's website.
According to the latest Pentagon fact sheet released on Wednesday, the United States has shipped over 10,000 single-use Javelin missile launchers to Ukraine, along with more than three million 155mm artillery shells and an unspecified quantity of 120mm mortars.
Earlier this year, the Pentagon announced plans to increase monthly production of 155mm shells from 28,000 to 70,000 by the end of 2024. It's uncertain whether the Camden plant has recently scaled up propellant production to meet this target, although General Dynamics is currently recruiting 19 new employees in Arkansas, as indicated on its website.
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