Quote:
Originally Posted by RN7
I think its closure would have political rather than strategic ramifications.
There are a number of commercial factories in the US that make weapons, vehicles and ammunition, but Rock Island is the only active US Army foundry. I think there are seven other government owned ammunition plants in the US (maybe more), but they only make munitions of various types. I think Rock Island only builds artillery and munitions now, and they could be built elsewhere and maybe more efficiently. But closing it could lead to a lot of protests from veterans, historians, some politicians and a lot of people who are upset about the closure or transfer overseas of American industrial infrastructure.
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Lake City is the backbone, but a lot of critical work is done at R.I. It would be as bad as closing Watervliet(all mortar and cannon barrels are made there), since it makes most of the rest of the large guns. One could consolidate everything at Watervliet, and move the command part to Natick. Make a story where IL lost political clout and so it was closed.