Weapons and Munitions - Eng Dev

Mission — Weapons and Munitions - Eng Dev source

Multiple Projects within Program Element Weapons and Munitions - Eng Dev, are key enablers of the Army's Cannon Transformation Priorities: 155mm Artillery Propulsion Modernization (Project DK8), 155mm High Explosive Rocket Assisted Projectile Extended Range (Project EU6) and Precision Guidance Kit (Project S36). Project BQ3, 155MM Artillery Propulsion Supercharge funding will support the Army's Cannon Transformation Strategy, which includes Paladin Integrated Management (PIM) Armament Upgrade and Next Generation Cannon, and all utilized cannons that are 52-calibers or longer; such as the future 58-caliber Extended Range Cannon Artillery (ERCA). Supercharge is a stand-alone top-zone 155 millimeter (mm) propelling charge required to achieve maximum range requirements beyond 50 kilometers (km) from Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH) equipped with cannon length greater than 52-calibers. Supercharge will achieve lethality overmatch out to 70km from future US-developed and produced Long Range Precision Fires Weapon Systems using both existing and developmental extended range projectiles and will potentially increase range with compatible legacy projectiles up to thirty percent. Supercharge is composed of an earlier bag variant and later combustible cartridge case, integral metal stub case, electrically initiated primer, and advanced artillery propellant. This Project supports the Urgent Materiel Release (UMR) Supercharge (bag configuration) qualification required for fielding an initial capability of two battalions, and also supports the development of the Full Materiel Release (FMR) Supercharge that will address high technology and integration risks unique to achieving extended range to include improved design opportunities for pressure temperature curve, cannon tube wear and ensure fielding robustness. This Project does not have an FY 2026 budget request. Project BY1, Next Generation Combat Vehicle Ammunition: 50x228 millimeter (mm) family of ammunition is a critical technology development in response to the Next Generation Combat Vehicle (NGCV) Abbreviated Capability Development Document for weapon qualification, platform integration, and fielding of the XM30 Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle (MICV) primary weapon system (XM913). This effort includes the development of three capabilities: The XM1202 Target Practice with Tracer (TP-T); the XM1203 Armor Piercing Fin Stabilized Discarding Sabot with Tracer (APFSDS-T); and the XM1204 High Explosive Airburst with Trace (HEAB-T). The training cartridge will allow the Warfighter to train in a cost-effective manner and the tactical cartridges will provide enhanced lethality at increased ranges when engaging personnel threats in the open, defilade, and under the cover of urban structures, Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGM) teams, and current and projected future peer armored materiel threats. This effort is operating under Middle Tier Acquisition authority for rapid prototyping to qualify the three munitions in order to support the NGCV Cross Functional Team (CFT) timeline for First Unit Equipped (FUE). Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 funding supports Developmental Test and Evaluation (DT&E) and Milestone C documentation. Project CE3, Precision Munition (Sniper): The Precision Munition (Sniper) project is a critical technology development in response to the Precision Munition Capabilities Development Documents (CDD) for the ammunition required to support the Precision Sniper Rifle (PSR) / sniper weapons systems. The objective is to transfer the latest lethality technology into the suite of ammunition used by snipers. The Precision Munition improvement is split into three capability areas: Anti-Materiel (AM), Improved Performance Round (IPR), and Subsonic. The AM and IPR capabilities will enhance lethal effects at greater distances. The Subsonic capability will increase soldier survivability at close range by providing a low-sound signature munition that is undetectable to the enemy. FY 2026 will continue Engineering and Manufacturing Development activities to include a user assessment, Production Qualification Test build and the commencement of Production Qualification Testing (PQT). In FY 2024, Project CE3 / Precision Munition (Sniper) was a Skip-Year. Project DC9, 30mm Multi-Mode Proximity Airburst (MMPA) Maneuver Short Range Air Defense Increment 3 (M-SHORAD INC 3): The 30mm MMPA M-SHORAD INC 3 / Project DC9 funds the development of the 30mm XM1223 MMPA munition and respective weapon contact setter under the Middle Tier of Acquisition (MTA) authority for rapid prototyping. The objective is to enhance the operational effectiveness of the M-SHORAD Inc 3 platform, Mobile-Low, Slow, Small Unmanned Aircraft Integrated Defeat System (M-LIDS) and any other Joint Force platforms that are equipped with a 30mm weapon system and have a Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) mission. The programmable fuze modes in the munition include proximity airburst to defeat personnel in the open and small Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) targets, proximity airburst delay to defeat personnel in defilade, gated proximity airburst to minimize collateral damage in cluttered environments, mechanical point detonate to defeat light materiel targets, and self-destruct to minimize collateral damage. The XM1223 will allow the platforms to conduct counter-UAS missions while retaining the ability to quickly transition to ground targets without having to swap ammunition. FY 2026 funds support conducting a Critical Design Review (CDR) and initiating the ammunition build for Developmental Test and Evaluation (DT&E). Project DK8, 155mm Artillery Propulsion Modernization (System Demonstration) supports the US Army's Cannon Transformation Strategy and system demonstration as well as modernization of propulsion systems for multiple platforms. The propulsion systems under development and modernization include propelling charge, modular charge, propellant, ignition system, and packaging solutions. The propulsion solutions will be integrated into a system of systems capability to ensure interoperability closing fires capability gaps to destroy or neutralize artillery target out to 70 kilometers. The propulsion system program(s) combined with cannon/projectile/fuze enhancements will enable the next generation of propelling charge and ignition systems to extend firing range, improve rate-of-fire and resupply, improve ammunition suitability, enhance lethality of current and future conventional munitions, and enable artillery units to be safe, effective, suitable, and survivable. Novel propulsion technologies will be developed, matured, integrated, and tested into the components of the propelling charges and ignition systems to advance and innovate artillery firing performance and enhance manufacturability of the industrial base. Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 funding will support system demonstration to integrate, verify maturity and iterate enhancement of propelling charge and ignition systems for improvement of the propellant effectiveness, cannon life, primer and charge ignition performance, system-level handling and rates-of-fire, and overall propulsion suitability and survivability. Project EC4, Non-Standard Simulator Munitions will standardize various pyrotechnics that simulate battlefield effects, develop, demonstrate, and qualify various screening effects in grenades, vehicle launched effects, smoke pots, and signals. The Army's Combat Training Centers (CTCs) are currently using non-standard munitions to replicate both conventional and asymmetric warfare battlefield effects. These modified commercial-off-the-shelf products have not been type-classified or material released and are not safe or sustainable for use by Soldiers. This effort will develop and demonstrate various pyrotechnic simulators and replicate both conventional, asymmetric warfare battlefield effects and munitions such as: Black smoke signature (burning vehicles, buildings, and equipment); Yellow smoke signature (chemical, biological or nuclear effects); Mini Blast to simulate hostile fire and small Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) during mounted operations in urban terrain; Micro pyrotechnics to simulate indoor hostile fire and IED effects that are capable of being integrated into existing facilities; Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) simulators to replicate the flight of a Rocket Propelled Grenade; Macro Pyro to simulate hostile fire, booby trap and IED Simulations indoor and outdoors; High Order Blast Effect (HiOBE) used to replicate a Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED), building explosions, and other significant explosive events; Artillery airburst simulator to replicate indirect fire; Antitank Guided Missile and Rocket (AGMR) simulator to replicate surface to air missile or shoulder launched rocket; Tracer Fire-back simulator to replicate enemy small arms fire and anti-aircraft fire; Electrically initiated smoke pots and smoke grenades of various colors; Multi-spectral and screening effects of grenades, vehicle launched effects, smoke pots, and signals. Standardization will reduce training costs, eliminate redundancies between systems, mitigate environmental concerns and safety risks associated with realistic scenario-based training and improve screening effects. Project EL9, Ammunition Logistics Prototyping: This Project supports the future force by maturing and integrating prototypes and commercial off the shelf technologies fully endorsed by the warfighter and associated Combat developers following a system of systems approach. The selected capabilities for continued investment have been proven through warfighter exercises and Soldier touch points to materially improve elements of tactical Ammo transportation, distribution, inventory management, availability and survivability as logistics system enablers within the formation. These enablers will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of ammunition operations, to include retrograde, while reducing the logistics footprint on the battlefield. This project enhances the operational effectiveness of the ammunition logistics system to ensure the distribution of reliable ammunition to the warfighter. Funding will be focused on integrating mature technologies into ammunition resupply enablers and developing interfaces with applicable Program of Records as recommended by the Contested Logistics, Long Range Precision Fires, Next-Generation Combat Vehicles, Soldier Lethality Cross Functional Teams. Project EP2, Shoulder-Launched Munitions: The XM919 Individual Assault Munitions (IAM) effort will combine the capabilities of the existing M141 Bunker Defeat Munition (BDM) and the M136 Anti-Tank 4 Confined Space - Reduced Sensitivity (AT4CS RS), eliminating the mission risk associated with having to choose between two different capability Shoulder-Launched Munitions (SLMs), reducing the logistics and training burdens associated with multiple systems. IAM consists of the tactical XM919 IAM munition and training devices including the XM922 sub-caliber trainer (SCT), sub-caliber tracer ammunition (SCT Ammo), Field Handling Trainer (FHT), Synthetic Training Environment Live Training System (STE LTS) and Soldier Virtual Trainers (SVT). JPEO A&A is collaborating with PEO STRI to plan for STE LTS and SVT integration within PEO STRI platforms under the SS PEG. The tactical XM919 IAM supports the close fight in urban and complex terrain, allowing Soldiers a fire-from-enclosure (FFE) capability to defeat field expedient structures such as earth and timber bunkers, reinforced concrete, adobe and triple brick walls with behind the wall lethality effects as well as defeating light armored vehicles. The IAM training devices provide an affordable training capability to increase the Soldier's proficiency and integration of the XM919 tactical system into combat operations. The XM919 IAM supports the Army's Soldier Lethality Modernization Line of Effort (LOE) by providing multi-target capability and reducing training & logistics burden associated with two systems, while providing tactical innovation capable of extending overmatch against peer/near-peer adversaries in a joint, multi-domain, high-intensity conflict. Project EP4, One-Way Luminescence for Small Caliber Ammo: The One Way Luminescence (OWL) project is a critical technology development in response to the 7.62 millimeter (mm) and 5.56mm Families of Ammunition Capabilities Development Documents (CDD). Current small caliber ammunition tracer rounds are a pyrotechnic tracer mix which provides a visible light signature through its trajectory with a limited view during its early trajectory. The visible signature provides visibility of fire out to 900 meters and a limited view visible signature to the shooter only for 300m. The OWL projects objective is to develop and field a full tracer round, replace the current pyrotechnic cartridges with trace cartridges that are only visible to the shooter and soldiers in close proximity, increasing soldier survivability, and increasing lethality by incorporating Enhanced Performance Round (EPR) technology into the new tracer ammunition. 7.62mm and 5.56mm are the immediate focus; later followed by 6.8mm Family of Ammunition. There is no FY 2026 request as program transitions from development to production. Project EP7, Aviation Airborne Expendable Countermeasures (AAECM) will support Integrated System Design (ISD), System Capability (SC) and Manufacturing Process Demonstrations (MPD) on expendable countermeasure flares and decoys to include the XM215 Infrared (IR) countermeasure Flare and XM20 Radio Frequency (RF) expendables. These expendable countermeasures systems are an essential part of survivability equipment for Army aircraft. Army Research Development Technology & Evaluation (RDT&E) efforts are coordinated with Program Executive Office (PEO) Aviation to address the AAECM capability, a critical enabler for enduring aircraft and the Future Vertical Lift (FVL) - Aircraft Survivability Equipment (ASE) Cross Functional Team (CFT) within Army's Top modernization priorities. These advanced decoys will address deficiencies in Army aircraft protection and the safety of its aircrews against advanced Man-Portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADS) and Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAM) systems. The project will also support ISD, SC and MPD on new expendable countermeasure munitions that will protect Army aircraft from advanced and proliferated current guided missile threats. Activities include modeling and simulation, flight testing, qualification testing, environmental considerations, safety enhancements, manufacturing enhancements, qualification of other service and foreign munitions that could meet current requirements, product improvements, insertion of new technologies to increase performance, and enhancement of current flare solutions for new and existing aircraft. Systems include impulse cartridges and aircraft expendables (to include RF expendables). Project EU4, 40 millimeter (mm) High Velocity (HV) High Explosive Dual Purpose - Air burst (HEDP-AB): 40 millimeter (mm) High Velocity (HV) High Explosive Dual Purpose - Air burst (HEDP-AB) is a new capability identified as a Warfighter counter-defilade requirement in the 40mm High Velocity Improved High Explosive Dual Purpose Cartridge Capability Development Document (CDD) and will provide the Mk19 Mod 3 Grenade Machine Gun (GMG) an airburst capable cartridge with the ability of achieving required lethal effects against enemy targets in the open and in defilade while maintaining the capability to defeat unarmored and lightly armored vehicles. XM1176 HEDP-AB cartridges are manufactured by de-fuzing legacy M430A1 cartridges and installing a new airburst capable fuze onto the M430A1 warhead. In FY 2024, Project EU4 / 40mm HV Improved High Explosive Dual Purpose was a Skip-Year. In FY 2026 there is no funding request. Project EU6, The 155 millimeter (mm) Next Generation Rocket Assisted Projectile (NGRAP) supports the modernization priorities identified in the Army's Cannon Transformation Strategy. This Project develops an innovative rocket design with a lethal warhead that is compatible with unguided and guided fuzes to meet extended range and accuracy requirements. The NGRAP will first deliver a solution to increase ranges from 30km to 40km in current 39 caliber systems. The NGRAP develops improved accuracy, lethality, and ranges utilizing 39 and Extended Range Cannons. FY (Fiscal Year) 2026 funding will support engineering efforts to assess technical designs and maturation in support of the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) phase of NGRAP. Project EW1, 40 millimeter (mm) Low Velocity High Explosive Air Burst (LV-HEAB): The 40 millimeter (mm) Low Velocity High Explosive Air Burst (HEAB) is a new capability identified as a Warfighter counter-defilade requirement in the Capability Development Document (CDD), 40mm Low Velocity (LV) Family of Ammunition Annex. The HEAB tactical cartridge allows the Warfighter to engage targets at increased effective ranges using the 40mm M320 Grenade Launcher. The HEAB cartridge provides the grenadier with a higher probability of achieving a first shot kill against enemy personnel, coupled with the ability to defeat personnel targets in defilade positions. When deployed against point and area targets, the cartridge inflicts incapacitating effects against personnel beyond those offered by the current M433 High Explosive Dual Purpose (HEDP) cartridge. The cartridge provides lethal effects against targets with improved accuracy and greater standoff ranges resulting in increased soldier survivability. In FY 2026 there is no funding request. Project FA6, 30mm Lethality: The 30 millimeter (mm) Lethality project funds the development of the family of 30mm cartridges, to provide anti-personnel effects, counter defilade, anti-materiel and counter unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS). This ammunition will increase the effectiveness and lethality for all platforms equipped with a medium caliber 30mm weapon system to include the Stryker Infantry Carrier Vehicle (ICV) and proposed Next Generation Combat Vehicle (NGCV) variants. The tactical Armor Piercing cartridge will provide an organic direct fire capability to support infantry at a greater range and will improve lethality when engaging light-to-medium armored vehicles. The airburst cartridge will provide the Warfighter with increased lethality against troops in the open, counter defilade, Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) teams, troops behind urban structures and counter unmanned aerial systems . The training cartridges will be ballistically matched to the tactical cartridges, allowing the Warfighter to train in a cost-effective manner, and on CONUS and OCONUS training ranges. In FY 2026, this project FA6 / 30mm Lethality will support Developmental Test and Evaluation (DT&E), Live Fire Test and Evaluation (LFT&E), and Milestone C preparation for the Armor Piercing (AP) cartridge and obtain test hardware, conduct Live Fire Test and Evaluation (LFT&E), and Lethality Assessment Capstone Event (LACE) for the High Explosive Airburst (HEAB) cartridge. Project FJ4, Cannon-Delivered Area Effects Munitions (C-DAEM): The Cannon-Delivered Area Effects Munitions (C-DAEM) Project will provide United States (U.S.) ground forces with the capability to engage area personnel through armored targets, while denying threat forces full operational freedom within the targeted area. An Analysis of Alternatives (AoA) was completed in January 2018 to inform Army acquisition and investment decisions regarding replacement of the current stockpile of 155 millimeter (mm) Dual Purpose Improved Conventional Munitions (DPICM) with Department of Defense (DoD) policy compliant munitions and address anti-armor and extended range capability requirements. The Army validated two materiel solutions for C-DAEM to be pursued in parallel to support the Army's modernization priorities: C-DAEM Armor and C-DAEM DPICM Replacement. C-DAEM Armor will destroy moved and moving self-propelled howitzers, infantry fighting vehicles and tanks. C-DAEM DPICM Replacement will destroy personnel through soft-skinned targets. This Project does not have a FY 2026 budget request. Project FL4, Small Caliber Ammo for Next Gen Squad Weapons: The Small Caliber Ammo for Next Gen Squad Weapons project is a critical technology development in response to the Soldier Lethality Cross Functional Team (SL CFT) Initial Capability Document (ICD) for the ammunition required to support the rapid prototyping, development, and fielding of the Next Generation Squad Weapons (NGSW) under the Middle Tier of Acquisition (MTA) authority for rapid prototyping/rapid fielding. The objective is to develop and Full Materiel Release (FMR) the new 6.8mm ammunition in parallel with the NGSW rifle and automatic rifle. The 6.8mm ammunition is split into multiple ammunition variants, the General Purpose (GP), the Special Purpose (SP), the Reduced Range Ammunition (RRA), Tracer Ammunition, Blank Ammunition, the Close Combat Mission Capability Kit (CCMCK) training ammunition, Drill Dummy Inert (DDI) cartridge, and High-Pressure Test (HPT) cartridge. FY 2026 funding will support SP Live Fire Test and Evaluation (LFT&E), RRA production qualification build and testing, CCMCK prototype build and developmental tests, optimization efforts, and activities in preparation for transition from Middle Tier of Acquisition (MTA) to Major Capability Acquisition (MCA). Project MS1, Battalion Mortar System Modernization: The Battalion Mortar System Modernization Project supports the development of modernized Mortar Weapon Systems to support Infantry Brigade Combat Teams (IBCTs) and Armored Brigade Combat Teams (ABCTs). Efforts include development and qualification of modernized mortar systems and their required components to include fire control and ammunition that will increase lethality, survivability, mobility and readiness. The weapon and fire control will be used as a standalone man-portable system with digital fire control capability or as a modular system that can be hoisted onto light tactical vehicles such as the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV), the Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) and/or Joint Lightweight Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) when a mobility kit is utilized. This modernized system will increase survivability, maneuverability, and provide tactical advantage to the Warfighter when matched with pacing threat for direct and indirect fire and will provide overmatching capabilities. Initial characterization efforts will establish a firm foundation for proposed advanced indirect fire systems while allowing for incremental improvements and updates as technologies continue to mature, which will maintain and enhance performance, improve lethality, responsiveness, and reliability of indirect fire systems across the required spectrum of military operations. Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 funding will support the design and development of a next generation 81mm mortar weapon and fire control system that can be hosted on a light tactical vehicle when integrated with a mobility system. Project S36, The Precision Guidance Kit (PGK): The Precision Guidance Kit (PGK) Project supports development efforts that will qualify state of the art technologies for a course correcting fuze that provides precision accuracy at extended ranges for current and future 155-millimeter (mm) High Explosive (HE) projectiles by eliminating a portion of the inherent errors associated with ballistic firing solutions, which effectively reduces the number of projectiles required to execute fire missions. The precision course correcting fuze will support projectile operation in Global Positioning System (GPS) degraded environments in support of the Army's Cannon Transformation Strategy. All 39-caliber weapon systems and modernized Self-Propelled and Towed Howitzer weapon systems with cannon lengths greater than or equal to 52-caliber and new long-range projectiles require the precision course correcting fuze to meet lethality requirements. FY 2026 funding will continue to support the fabrication of LR-PGK hardware, safety and development testing. Project XT6, Medium Caliber Anti-Personnel and Counter UAS: The Anti-Personnel and Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) munitions provide increased lethality through proximity airburst effects against personnel, small Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), and small boats without requiring modification to the platform. Airburst capability is identified as a threshold Key System Attribute (KSA) in Apache Block 3 Capability Production Document (CPD) - Approved 14 June 2017, and counter-UAS capability is identified in other cannon caliber Operational Need Statements (ONSs) and Capability Development Documents (CDDs). Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 funds support procuring long lead materials for munition development, conduct preliminary design review, and live fire design engineering test of 30x113mm Aviation Proximity Explosive (APEX) munition in support of Full Materiel Release and technology maturation, munition development, prototype builds, conduct engineering tests for 25mm Bradley Aerial Defeat Ground Enhanced Round (BADGER) munition in support of Urgent Materiel Release, and achievement of Milestone B (MS-B). The FY 2026 request for Radar Development includes $53,226 thousand of discretionary and $18,000 thousand of mandatory (reconciliation) for a total of $71,226 thousand. The mandatory funds will develop and implement new signal processing techniques and waveforms to enhance Electronic Attack and Electronic Protect techniques based on the evolving threat, further enhancing radar survival and effectiveness in contested environments; mandatory funds will also develop Fixed Site capability for defense of the homeland. Further information for this reconciliation request is provided in Section 20003 (Missile Defense) of the Reconciliation Exhibit. The FY 2026 request was reduced by $0.393 million for Advisory and Assistance Services to promote efficiencies and advance the policies of the Administration in alignment with Executive Order 14222, "Implementing the President's Department of Government Efficiency Cost Efficiency Initiative." The FY 2026 cost of the XM1223 30mm Multi-Mode Proximity Airburst (MMPA) Middle Tier of Acquisition effort is $17.9 million, including RDT&E and procurement of prototype units. The Department will certify FYDP funding in a future budget submission.

Mission — Medium Caliber Anti-Personnel and Counter UAS source

The Anti-Personnel and Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) munitions provide increased lethality through proximity airburst effects against personnel, small Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), and small boats without requiring modification to the platform. Airburst capability is identified as a threshold Key System Attribute (KSA) in Apache Block 3 Capability Production Document (CPD) - Approved 14 June 2017, and counter-UAS capability is identified in other cannon caliber Operational Need Statements (ONSs) and Capability Development Documents (CDDs). Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 funds support procuring long lead materials for munition development, conduct preliminary design review, and live fire design engineering test of 30x113mm Aviation Proximity Explosive (APEX) munition in support of Full Materiel Release and technology maturation, munition development, prototype builds, conduct engineering tests for 25mm Bradley Aerial Defeat Ground Enhanced Round (BADGER) munition in support of Urgent Materiel Release, and achievement of Milestone B (MS-B).

Mission — Precision Guidance Kit source

The Precision Guidance Kit (PGK) Project supports development efforts that will qualify state of the art technologies for a course correcting fuze that provides precision accuracy at extended ranges for current and future 155-millimeter (mm) High Explosive (HE) projectiles by eliminating a portion of the inherent errors associated with ballistic firing solutions, which effectively reduces the number of projectiles required to execute fire missions. The precision course correcting fuze will support projectile operation in Global Positioning System (GPS) degraded environments in support of the Army's Cannon Transformation Strategy. All 39-caliber weapon systems and modernized Self-Propelled and Towed Howitzer weapon systems with cannon lengths greater than or equal to 52-caliber and new long-range projectiles require the precision course correcting fuze to meet lethality requirements. FY 2026 funding will continue to support the fabrication of LR-PGK hardware, safety and development testing.

Mission — Battalion Mortar System Modernization source

The Battalion Mortar System Modernization Project supports the development of modernized Mortar Weapon Systems to support Infantry Brigade Combat Teams (IBCTs) and Armored Brigade Combat Teams (ABCTs). Efforts include development and qualification of modernized mortar systems and their required components to include fire control and ammunition that will increase lethality, survivability, mobility and readiness. The weapon and fire control will be used as a standalone man-portable system with digital fire control capability or as a modular system that can be hoisted onto light tactical vehicles such as the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV), the Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) and/or Joint Lightweight Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) when a mobility kit is utilized. This modernized system will increase survivability, maneuverability, and provide tactical advantage to the Warfighter when matched with pacing threat for direct and indirect fire and will provide overmatching capabilities. Initial characterization efforts will establish a firm foundation for proposed advanced indirect fire systems while allowing for incremental improvements and updates as technologies continue to mature, which will maintain and enhance performance, improve lethality, responsiveness, and reliability of indirect fire systems across the required spectrum of military operations. Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 funding will support the design and development of a next generation 81mm mortar weapon and fire control system that can be hosted on a light tactical vehicle when integrated with a mobility system.

Mission — 155mm Artillery Propulsion XM654 source

155MM Artillery Propulsion Supercharge funding will support the Army's Cannon Transformation Strategy, which includes Paladin Integrated Management (PIM) Armament Upgrade and Next Generation Cannon, and all utilized cannons that are 52-calibers or longer. Supercharge is a stand-alone top-zone 155 millimeter (mm) propelling charge required to achieve maximum range requirements beyond 50 kilometers (km) from Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH) equipped with cannon length greater than 52-calibers. Supercharge will achieve lethality overmatch out to 70km from future US-developed and produced Long Range Precision Fires Weapon Systems using both existing and developmental extended range projectiles and will potentially increase range with compatible legacy projectiles up to thirty percent. Supercharge is composed of an earlier bag variant and later combustible cartridge case, integral metal stub case, electrically initiated primer, and advanced artillery propellant. This Project supports the Urgent Materiel Release (UMR) Supercharge (bag configuration) qualification required for fielding an initial capability of two battalions, and also supports the development of the Full Materiel Release (FMR) Supercharge that will address high technology and integration risks unique to achieving extended range to include improved design opportunities for pressure temperature curve, cannon tube wear and ensure fielding robustness. This project does not have an FY 2026 budget request.

Mission — Next Generation Combat Vehicle Ammunition source

50x228 millimeter (mm) family of ammunition is a critical technology development in response to the Next Generation Combat Vehicle (NGCV) Abbreviated Capability Development Document for weapon qualification, platform integration, and fielding of the XM30 Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle (MICV) primary weapon system (XM913). This effort includes the development of three capabilities: The XM1202 Target Practice with Tracer (TP-T); the XM1203 Armor Piercing Fin Stabilized Discarding Sabot with Tracer (APFSDS-T); and the XM1204 High Explosive Airburst with Trace (HEAB-T). The training cartridge will allow the Warfighter to train in a cost-effective manner and the tactical cartridges will provide enhanced lethality at increased ranges when engaging personnel threats in the open, defilade, and under the cover of urban structures, Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGM) teams, and current and projected future peer armored materiel threats. This effort is operating under Middle Tier Acquisition authority for rapid prototyping to qualify the three munitions in order to support the NGCV Cross Functional Team (CFT) timeline for First Unit Equipped (FUE). Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 funding supports Developmental Test and Evaluation (DT&E) and Milestone C documentation. The total cost of the Next Generation Combat Vehicle Ammunition (NGCV) Middle Tier of Acquisition effort is $122.610 million RDT&E from FY2021 to FY2025. The program is fully funded across the Future Years Defense Program (FYDP).

Mission — Precision Munition (Sniper) source

The Precision Munition (Sniper) project is a critical technology development in response to the Precision Munition Capabilities Development Documents (CDD) for the ammunition required to support the Precision Sniper Rifle (PSR) / sniper weapons systems. The objective is to transfer the latest lethality technology into the suite of ammunition used by snipers. The Precision Munition improvement is split into three capability areas: Anti-Materiel (AM), Improved Performance Round (IPR), and Subsonic. The AM and IPR capabilities will enhance lethal effects at greater distances. The Subsonic capability will increase soldier survivability at close range by providing a low-sound signature munition that is undetectable to the enemy. FY 2026 will continue Engineering and Manufacturing Development activities to include a user assessment, Production Qualification Test build and the commencement of Production Qualification Testing (PQT). In FY 2024, Project CE3 / Precision Munition (Sniper) was a Skip-Year.

Mission — 30mm MMPA M-SHORAD INC 3 source

30mm Multi-Mode Proximity Airburst (MMPA) Maneuver Short Range Air Defense Increment 3 (M-SHORAD INC 3): The 30mm MMPA M-SHORAD INC 3 / Project DC9 funds the development of the 30mm XM1223 MMPA munition and respective weapon contact setter under the Middle Tier of Acquisition (MTA) authority for rapid prototyping. The objective is to enhance the operational effectiveness of the M-SHORAD Inc 3 platform, Mobile-Low, Slow, Small Unmanned Aircraft Integrated Defeat System (M-LIDS) and any other Joint Force platforms that are equipped with a 30mm weapon system and have a Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) mission. The programmable fuze modes in the munition include proximity airburst to defeat personnel in the open and small Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) targets, proximity airburst delay to defeat personnel in defilade, gated proximity airburst to minimize collateral damage in cluttered environments, mechanical point detonate to defeat light materiel targets, and self-destruct to minimize collateral damage. The XM1223 will allow the platforms to conduct counter-UAS missions while retaining the ability to quickly transition to ground targets without having to swap ammunition. FY 2026 funds support conducting a Critical Design Review (CDR) and initiating the ammunition build for Developmental Test and Evaluation (DT&E). The FY 2026 cost of the XM1223 30mm Multi-Mode Proximity Airburst (MMPA) Middle Tier of Acquisition effort is $17.9 million, including RDT&E and procurement of prototype units. The Department will certify FYDP funding in a future budget submission.

Mission — 155mm Artillery Propulsion Mod - Sys Demonstration source

155mm Artillery Propulsion Modernization (System Demonstration) supports the US Army's Cannon Transformation Strategy and system demonstration as well as modernization of propulsion systems for multiple platforms. The propulsion systems under development and modernization include propelling charge, modular charge, propellant, ignition system, and packaging solutions. The propulsion solutions will be integrated into a system of systems capability to ensure interoperability closing fires capability gaps to destroy or neutralize artillery target out to 70 kilometers. The propulsion system program(s) combined with cannon/projectile/fuze enhancements will enable the next generation of propelling charge and ignition systems to extend firing range, improve rate-of-fire and resupply, improve ammunition suitability, enhance lethality of current and future conventional munitions, and enable artillery units to be safe, effective, suitable, and survivable. Novel propulsion technologies will be developed, matured, integrated, and tested into the components of the propelling charges and ignition systems to advance and innovate artillery firing performance and enhance manufacturability of the industrial base. Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 funding will support system demonstration to integrate, verify maturity and iterate enhancement of propelling charge and ignition systems for improvement of the propellant effectiveness, cannon life, primer and charge ignition performance, system-level handling and rates-of-fire, and overall propulsion suitability and survivability.

Mission — Non-Standard Simulator Munitions source

Project EC4 Non-Standard Simulator Munitions will standardize various pyrotechnics that simulate battlefield effects, develop, demonstrate, and qualify various screening effects in grenades, vehicle launched effects, unmanned aerial vehicles, smoke pots, signals, counter sensors, and countermeasures. The Army's Combat Training Centers (CTCs) are currently using non-standard munitions to replicate both conventional and asymmetric warfare battlefield effects. These modified commercial-off-the-shelf products have not been type-classified or material released and are not safe or sustainable for use by Soldiers. This effort will develop and demonstrate various pyrotechnic simulators, replicating both conventional and asymmetric warfare effects and munitions such as: - Black smoke signature (burning vehicles, buildings, and equipment); - Yellow smoke signature (chemical, biological or nuclear effects); - Mini Blast to simulate hostile fire and small Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) during mounted operations in urban terrain; - Micro pyrotechnics to simulate indoor hostile fire and IED effects that are capable of being integrated into existing facilities; - Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) simulators to replicate the flight of a Rocket Propelled Grenade; - Macro Pyro to simulate hostile fire, booby trap, and IED simulations both indoor and outdoors; - High Order Blast Effect (HiOBE) used to replicate a Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED), building explosions, and other significant explosive events; - Artillery airburst simulator to replicate indirect fire; - Antitank Guided Missile and Rocket (AGMR) simulator to replicate surface to air missile or shoulder launched rocket; - Tracer Fire-back simulator to replicate enemy small arms fire and anti-aircraft fire; - Electrically initiated smoke pots and smoke grenades of various colors; - Multi-spectral and screening effects of grenades, vehicle launched effects, smoke pots, chaff, signals for unmanned systems, unmanned aerial vehicles, ground vehicles, and decoys. - Counter sensor effects Standardization will reduce training costs, eliminate redundancies between systems, mitigate environmental concerns and safety risks associated with realistic scenario-based training and improve screening effects.

Mission — Ammunitions Logistics Prototyping source

This Project supports the future force by maturing and integrating prototypes and Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) technologies fully endorsed by the Warfighter and associated Combat developers following a system of systems approach. The selected capabilities for continued investment have been proven successful through Warfighter exercises and Soldier touch points to materially improve elements of tactical ammunition transportation, distribution, inventory management, availability, and survivability as logistics system enablers within the formation. These enablers will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of ammunition operations, to include retrograde, while reducing the logistics footprint on the battlefield. This project enhances the operational effectiveness of the ammunition logistics system to ensure the distribution of reliable ammunition to the Warfighter. Funding will be focused on integrating mature technologies into ammunition resupply enablers and developing interfaces with applicable Program of Records (PoR) as recommended by the Contested Logistics, Long Range Precision Fires, Next Generation Combat Vehicles, and Soldier Lethality Cross Functional Teams (CFTs).

Mission — 155mm HE Rocket Assist Project Extended Range source

The 155 millimeter (mm) Next Generation Rocket Assisted Projectile (NGRAP) supports the modernization priorities identified in the Army's Cannon Transformation Strategy. This Project develops an innovative rocket design with a lethal warhead that is compatible with unguided and guided fuzes to meet extended range and accuracy requirements. The NGRAP will first deliver a solution to increase ranges from 30km to 40km in current 39 caliber systems. The NGRAP develops improved accuracy, lethality, and ranges utilizing 39 and Extended Range Cannons. FY (Fiscal Year) 2026 funding will support engineering efforts to assess technical designs and maturation in support of the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) phase of NGRAP.

Mission — Shoulder-Launched Munitions source

The XM919 Individual Assault Munitions (IAM) effort will combine the capabilities of the existing M141 Bunker Defeat Munition (BDM) and the M136 Anti-Tank 4 Confined Space - Reduced Sensitivity (AT4CS RS), eliminating the mission risk associated with having to choose between two different capability Shoulder-Launched Munitions (SLMs), reducing the logistics and training burdens associated with multiple systems. IAM consists of the tactical XM919 IAM munition and training devices including the XM922 sub-caliber trainer (SCT), sub-caliber tracer ammunition (SCT Ammo), Field Handling Trainer (FHT), Synthetic Training Environment Live Training System (STE LTS) and Soldier Virtual Trainers (SVT). JPEO A&A is collaborating with PEO STRI to plan for STE LTS and SVT integration within PEO STRI platforms under the SS PEG. The tactical XM919 IAM supports the close fight in urban and complex terrain, allowing Soldiers a fire-from-enclosure (FFE) capability to defeat field expedient structures such as earth and timber bunkers, reinforced concrete, adobe and triple brick walls with behind the wall lethality effects as well as defeating light armored vehicles. The IAM training devices provide an affordable training capability to increase the Soldier's proficiency and integration of the XM919 tactical system into combat operations. The XM919 IAM supports the Army's Soldier Lethality Modernization Line of Effort (LOE) by providing multi-target capability and reducing training & logistics burden associated with two systems, while providing tactical innovation capable of extending overmatch against peer/near-peer adversaries in a joint, multi-domain, high-intensity conflict.

Mission — One-Way Luminescence for Small Caliber Ammo source

The One Way Luminescence (OWL) project is a critical technology development in response to the 7.62 millimeter (mm) and 5.56mm Families of Ammunition Capabilities Development Documents (CDD). Current small caliber ammunition tracer rounds are a pyrotechnic tracer mix which provides a visible light signature through its trajectory with a limited view during its early trajectory. The visible signature provides visibility of fire out to 900 meters and a limited view visible signature to the shooter only for 300m. The OWL projects objective is to develop and field a full tracer round, replace the current pyrotechnic cartridges with trace cartridges that are only visible to the shooter and soldiers in close proximity, increasing soldier survivability, and increasing lethality by incorporating Enhanced Performance Round (EPR) technology into the new tracer ammunition. 7.62mm and 5.56mm are the immediate focus; later followed by 6.8mm Family of Ammunition. There is no FY 2026 request as program transitions from development to production.

Mission — Aviation Airborne Expendable Countermeasures source

Aviation Airborne Expendable Countermeasures (AAECM) will support Integrated System Design (ISD), System Capability (SC) and Manufacturing Process Demonstrations (MPD) on expendable countermeasure flares and decoys to include the XM215 Infrared (IR) countermeasure Flare and XM20 Radio Frequency (RF) expendables. These expendable countermeasures systems are an essential part of survivability equipment for Army aircraft. Army Research Development Technology & Evaluation (RDT&E) efforts are coordinated with Program Executive Office (PEO) Aviation to address the AAECM capability, a critical enabler for enduring aircraft and the Future Vertical Lift (FVL) - Aircraft Survivability Equipment (ASE) Cross Functional Team (CFT) within Army's Top modernization priorities. These advanced decoys will address deficiencies in Army aircraft protection and the safety of its aircrews against advanced Man-Portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADS) and Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAM) systems. The project will also support ISD, SC and MPD on new expendable countermeasure munitions that will protect Army aircraft from advanced and proliferated current guided missile threats. Activities include modeling and simulation, flight testing, qualification testing, environmental considerations, safety enhancements, manufacturing enhancements, qualification of other service and foreign munitions that could meet current requirements, product improvements, insertion of new technologies to increase performance, and enhancement of current flare solutions for new and existing aircraft. Systems include impulse cartridges and aircraft expendables (to include RF expendables).

Mission — 40mm HV Improved High Explosive Dual Purpose source

40 millimeter (mm) High Velocity (HV) High Explosive Dual Purpose - Air burst (HEDP-AB) is a new capability identified as a Warfighter counter-defilade requirement in the 40mm High Velocity Improved High Explosive Dual Purpose Cartridge Capability Development Document (CDD) and will provide the Mk19 Mod 3 Grenade Machine Gun (GMG) an airburst capable cartridge with the ability of achieving required lethal effects against enemy targets in the open and in defilade while maintaining the capability to defeat unarmored and lightly armored vehicles. XM1176 HEDP-AB cartridges are manufactured by de-fuzing legacy M430A1 cartridges and installing a new airburst capable fuze onto the M430A1 warhead. In FY 2024, Project EU4 / 40mm HV Improved High Explosive Dual Purpose was a Skip-Year. In FY 2026 there is no funding request.

Mission — 40mm Low Velocity Ammunition source

The 40 millimeter (mm) Low Velocity High Explosive Air Burst (HEAB) is a new capability identified as a Warfighter counter-defilade requirement in the Capability Development Document (CDD), 40mm Low Velocity (LV) Family of Ammunition Annex. The HEAB tactical cartridge allows the Warfighter to engage targets at increased effective ranges using the 40mm M320 Grenade Launcher. The HEAB cartridge provides the grenadier with a higher probability of achieving a first shot kill against enemy personnel, coupled with the ability to defeat personnel targets in defilade positions. When deployed against point and area targets, the cartridge inflicts incapacitating effects against personnel beyond those offered by the current M433 High Explosive Dual Purpose (HEDP) cartridge. The cartridge provides lethal effects against targets with improved accuracy and greater standoff ranges resulting in increased soldier survivability. In FY 2026 there is no funding request.

Mission — 30mm Lethality source

The 30 millimeter (mm) Lethality project funds the development of the family of 30mm cartridges, to provide anti-personnel effects, counter defilade, anti-materiel and counter unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS). This ammunition will increase the effectiveness and lethality for all platforms equipped with a medium caliber 30mm weapon system to include the Stryker Infantry Carrier Vehicle (ICV) and proposed Next Generation Combat Vehicle (NGCV) variants. The tactical Armor Piercing cartridge will provide an organic direct fire capability to support infantry at a greater range and will improve lethality when engaging light-to-medium armored vehicles. The airburst cartridge will provide the Warfighter with increased lethality against troops in the open, counter defilade, Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) teams, troops behind urban structures and counter unmanned aerial systems . The training cartridges will be ballistically matched to the tactical cartridges, allowing the Warfighter to train in a cost-effective manner, and on CONUS and OCONUS training ranges. In FY 2026, this project FA6 / 30mm Lethality will support Developmental Test and Evaluation (DT&E), Live Fire Test and Evaluation (LFT&E), and Milestone C preparation for the Armor Piercing (AP) cartridge and obtain test hardware, conduct Live Fire Test and Evaluation (LFT&E), and Lethality Assessment Capstone Event (LACE) for the High Explosive Airburst (HEAB) cartridge.

Mission — Cannon-Delivered Area Effects Munitions (C-DAEM) source

The Cannon-Delivered Area Effects Munitions (C-DAEM) Project will provide United States (U.S.) ground forces with the capability to engage area personnel through armored targets, while denying threat forces full operational freedom within the targeted area. An Analysis of Alternatives (AoA) was completed in January 2018 to inform Army acquisition and investment decisions regarding replacement of the current stockpile of 155 millimeter (mm) Dual Purpose Improved Conventional Munitions (DPICM) with Department of Defense (DoD) policy compliant munitions and address anti-armor and extended range capability requirements. The Army validated two materiel solutions for C-DAEM to be pursued in parallel to support the Army's modernization priorities: C-DAEM Armor and C-DAEM DPICM Replacement. C-DAEM Armor will destroy moved and moving self-propelled howitzers, infantry fighting vehicles and tanks. C-DAEM DPICM Replacement will destroy personnel through soft-skinned targets. This Project does not have a Fiscal Year (FY 2026) Budget Request.

Mission — Small Caliber Ammo for Next Gen Squad Weapons source

The Small Caliber Ammo for Next Gen Squad Weapons project is a critical technology development in response to the Soldier Lethality Cross Functional Team (SL CFT) Initial Capability Document (ICD) for the ammunition required to support the rapid prototyping, development, and fielding of the Next Generation Squad Weapons (NGSW) under the Middle Tier of Acquisition (MTA) authority for rapid prototyping/rapid fielding. The objective is to develop and Full Materiel Release (FMR) the new 6.8mm ammunition in parallel with the NGSW rifle and automatic rifle. The 6.8mm ammunition is split into multiple ammunition variants, the General Purpose (GP), the Special Purpose (SP), the Reduced Range Ammunition (RRA), Tracer Ammunition, Blank Ammunition, the Close Combat Mission Capability Kit (CCMCK) training ammunition, Drill Dummy Inert (DDI) cartridge, and High-Pressure Test (HPT) cartridge. FY 2026 funding will support SP Live Fire Test and Evaluation (LFT&E), RRA production qualification build and testing, CCMCK prototype build and developmental tests, optimization efforts, and activities in preparation for transition from Middle Tier of Acquisition (MTA) to Major Capability Acquisition (MCA). The total cost of the Small Caliber Ammo for Next Gen Squad Weapons Middle Tier of Acquisition effort is $156.7M million RDTE from FY 2020 to FY 2028.

Accomplishments & Planned Programs (34)