How to Forge Shells for Ukraine’s Artillery

In a series of buildings in Middletown, Iowa, empty shells are turned into weapons.

The structures, and some of the machines, are roughly 80 years old. Built to fight German and Japanese armies, they now turn out shells for Ukraine.

Workers lift the shells onto a stand and etch the letters IMX — for Insensitive Munitions Explosive — just above the copper band. Others remove the shipping plugs from each shell, take a quick peek inside with a flashlight, then send the rounds down a conveyor line, where a laser etches a new lot number on their nose.