Demolition Munitions, All Types

The Demolition Munitions, All Types program is a critical Army ammunition procurement line supporting operational, training, and test requirements for both active and reserve components. The program's overarching goal is to ensure the availability of a diverse suite of demolition munitions for combat operations, homeland defense, emergency response, and military support to civil authorities, in accordance with Department of Defense Instruction 3000.04 and Army Regulation 5-13. The budget request supports procurement of fourteen demolition munition variants, with production quantities and costs tailored to meet war reserve and annual training needs.

The M17A1 Receiver, Radio Frequency Remote Activation Munition System (RF-RAMS) is designed to provide wireless, remote initiation of demolition charges at extended ranges. The request allocates funding for the procurement of these systems, supporting both annual training and war reserve requirements. This capability enhances operational flexibility and safety by enabling un-tethered initiation of charges, which is critical for complex demolition tasks in both combat and training environments.

The Demo Kit, Bangalore Torpedo, M1A3 (2.5 foot) is used to clear paths through obstacles such as barbed wire, minefields, and heavy undergrowth. The budget provides for the procurement of kits, ensuring sufficient inventory for training and operational deployment. The Bangalore Torpedo remains a standard tool for breaching operations, supporting both engineering and infantry units in mobility and counter-mobility tasks.

Demolition Charges such as TNT blocks, Cratering Charges, Sheet Explosives, and Shaped Charges are procured to support a range of demolition tasks, from cutting and breaching hard surfaces to creating craters in roads and runways. These charges are essential for both combat engineering and training, enabling the Army to maintain readiness for infrastructure denial and obstacle reduction missions.

Initiation Systems and Accessories include non-electric blasting caps (inert and live), detonating cord (live and inert), igniters, and cartridge-actuated cutters. The request funds new starts for blasting caps, supporting depot-level training and war reserve inventories. Detonating cord procurement ensures the ability to link and synchronize multiple charges, while the M81 Igniter and other Modernized Demolition Initiators (MDI) enhance safety and reliability in demolition operations.

Specialized Training and Support Items such as the Canine Explosive Scent Kit (CESK) and inert boosters are included to support Military Working Dog teams and training environments. These items provide realistic training aids for explosive detection and demolition procedures, ensuring that personnel are proficient in handling and identifying a wide range of explosive materials encountered in operational scenarios.

The Demolition Munitions, All Types line item is justified by its role in maintaining Army readiness across operational, training, and test domains. The program supports Combatant Commander Operational Plans and Title 10 war reserve requirements, while also fulfilling statutory obligations for homeland defense and support to civil authorities. Funding supports both replenishment of war reserves and modernization of training inventories, ensuring that Army units have access to reliable, safe, and effective demolition munitions for all mission sets.