The Radford Army Ammunition Plant (RAAP), also known as Radford Arsenal, began construction in September 1940 and started producing propellants on April 5, 1941, to support World War II efforts, becoming a vital part of America's ammunition production. It was one of the first single-base smokeless powder plants built under the National Defense Program, initially as the Radford Ordnance Works and New River Plant, and officially became Radford Arsenal in 1945. The Army chose Radford because of its strategic inland location, which offered protection from enemy bombardment while providing essential infrastructure. Key reasons included access to the New River for water, rail line proximity, readily available labor, and adequate space for large-scale production.