Joint Production Accelerator Cell (JPAC)

The Joint Production Accelerator Cell (JPAC) is a strategic initiative under the Office of the Secretary of Defense. It aims to enhance the defense industrial base's production capacity, resilience, and surge capability. The program's primary goal is to assess and analyze opportunities to improve manufacturing processes for key weapon systems and supplies. By focusing on modernizing and strengthening military capabilities, JPAC seeks to maintain a competitive edge in national defense.

A significant objective of JPAC is to explore advanced, flexible, and scalable manufacturing approaches that can be integrated into Department of Defense supply chains. This involves evaluating previous and ongoing efforts within both industry and government sectors to identify and scale innovative design processes. The program aims to drive the adoption of digital engineering and advanced manufacturing techniques at scale, thereby improving the responsiveness of the defense industrial base to meet demand.

In FY 2025, JPAC plans to initiate research efforts that will assess opportunities for injecting these advanced manufacturing techniques into supply chains. This includes developing alternate manufacturing methods for critical munitions sub-components such as ball bearings, artillery shell casings, and solid rocket motors. Additionally, the program will analyze approaches to modernize production facilities with technologies like additive manufacturing and flexible tooling to enhance production agility.

JPAC's efforts are directed towards ensuring enduring industrial production capacity and resilience for key defense systems. By advancing innovative processes and scaling production capabilities, the program supports building a robust defense ecosystem that aligns with 21st-century Warfighter needs.