Picatinny Arsenal is located in North West New Jersey in Morris County. It is in the NY/NJ Metropolitan Region approximately 45 miles West of New York City. Picatinny is the site of ARDEC (Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center). ARDEC falls under the major command of AMC (Army Materiel Command) and TACOM (Tank Automotive and Armaments Command). ARDEC's mission is to conduct or mange research, development and engineering for all assigned weapon systems. Basically, its mission is threefold: 1. Develop product improvements and new items and achieve initial production. 2. Maintain a strong technology base in government, industry and universities for which to evolve improved items and prevent technology surprise. 3. Provide technical support to our soldiers in the field.
History
On 6 September 1880, the War Department issued Special Order No. 189 which established the "Dover Powder Depot. Four days later, the post was renamed the "Picatinny Powder Depot".
The Army's first powder factory was constructed here in 1907. Later that year, because of its expanding activities, the post became "Picatinny Arsenal".
In 1926 an electrical storm initiated a tremendous explosion in an adjacent Navy depot's magazine storage area, destroying buildings, killing 19 persons and injuring 38.
Modern Picatinny Arsenal dates from that explosion, after which the installation was rebuilt and expanded.
When World War II started, Picatinny Arsenal was the only plant in the United States capable of making ammunition larger than that for small arms. During the war more than 8,000 people were trained at Picatinny in specialized techniques of munitions and mass production. At the peak of WWII activities, the Arsenal employed in excess of 18,000 people on a three-shift per day, seven day a week basis.
In the years from Korea to Vietnam, the prime arsenal mission was to develop and improve large caliber conventional and nuclear munitions.
Today, Picatinny serves as the headquarters for the US Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center and employs highly skilled technicians, scientists and engineers engaged in the full range of armament research and development.
Picatinny Arsenal: Installation
Installation Overview
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Name : Commander, U.S. Army TACOM-ARDEC
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POC : Tammy Trainor, Relocation Assistance Program Manager
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Address : ATTN: AMSTA-AR-MWR-F, Bldg 34N
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City : Picatinny Arsenal
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State : NJ
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Zip : 07806-5000
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Phone : (973)724-4939
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Fax : (973)724-4416
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DSN Phone : 880-4939
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DSN Fax : 880-4416
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Email : ttrainor@pica.army.mil
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Web Address : http://w3.pica.army.mil/picatinny
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