Joint DoD-DoE Munitions Technology Development

The Joint DoD/DOE Munitions Technology Development Program aims to advance conventional munitions through innovative science and technology initiatives. This collaborative effort between the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of Energy (DOE) leverages each department's strengths to enhance munition capabilities. The program focuses on developing essential, cross-cutting, and foundational science and technology investments that support future force operational capabilities across various timeframes. A memorandum of understanding between the two departments facilitates cost-sharing and cooperative efforts.

The program's objectives include developing decision tools, diagnostics, and datasets for munition design and evaluation. It seeks advancements in munition delivery technologies, including weapon bodies, propulsion systems, and survivability in extreme environments. Additionally, the program focuses on munition controls for fuzing, microelectronics, power systems, sensors, kill chains, and survivable components. Innovations in lethal effects are pursued through novel explosive materials, formulations, warhead designs, and advancements in target damage capabilities.

Planned activities for FY 2024 include developing weaponeering tools to enhance lethality modeling codes and novel imaging methods for high explosive fracture behavior. The program also aims to develop reactive flow models for warhead geometries suitable for miniature swarming munitions. In FY 2025, efforts will focus on high fidelity simulations of combined effects explosive warheads and developing low temperature-compatible supercapacitor technology with significantly improved energy density.

The program is structured around four Technology Coordination Groups led by DoD Service laboratory experts. These groups evaluate each project's technical progress and relevance to mission goals through bi-annual technical reviews. This structured approach ensures that investments address high-priority gaps and challenges faced by the DoD while fostering a collaborative community of scientists and engineers from both departments.