Environmental Quality Technology Mgmt Support

The Environmental Quality Technology Management Support program (PE 0605857A) is a U.S. Army initiative under the Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) Management Support appropriation. Its primary goal is to provide management and technical support for environmental quality technology efforts across the Army, ensuring that environmental considerations are integrated into weapon system acquisition, sustainment, and operational processes. The program funds activities that address environmental quality requirements, support technology transfer, and manage demonstration and validation test sites, with a focus on reducing environmental liabilities and total ownership costs.

Environmentally Sustainable Acquisition/Logistics (ESAL) is a major project within this program element. Its objective is to support the Army's acquisition community by integrating environmental quality considerations such as human health risks, material obsolescence, occupational exposures, and energy efficiency into the entire life cycle of weapon systems. ESAL works closely with Cross Functional Teams (CFTs), Program Executive Offices (PEOs), and Program Managers (PMs) to ensure compliance with environmental statutes, policies, and regulations, and to address issues like toxic material exposure and regulatory-driven material obsolescence. The project also aims to improve readiness, reduce supportability burdens, and minimize total ownership costs while supporting Army modernization priorities.

The ESAL project also includes the Army's responsibilities as the Department of Defense Executive Agent for the Unexploded Ordnance Center of Excellence (UXOCOE). Beginning in FY 2026, ESAL will centrally coordinate DoD Counter Explosive Hazards (C-EH) research and engineering investments, manage the Joint C-EH Data Management System (JCEHDMS), and facilitate information sharing across the DoD, academia, industry, and other federal agencies. This coordination is intended to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of C-EH technology acquisition and ensure timely access to critical scientific and technical information for the warfighter.

Within the ESAL project, specific efforts include providing environmental quality support to acquisition programs, fulfilling National Environmental Policy Act requirements, analyzing technical data, and participating in risk assessments. The program also manages technology integration efforts for weapon systems at all stages, from design to disposal, through the Safer Alternatives for Readiness (SAFR) program. This includes overseeing test plan development, managing testing activities, and analyzing results to support engineering decision-making.

The Environmental Quality Technology Support project is another key component, providing RDT&E management support for the demonstration and validation of innovative environmental quality technologies. Its focus is on modernizing materials and processes to enhance operational sustainment and warfighter training capabilities, while reducing human health risks and improving readiness. This project manages the transition of technologies from laboratory to operational use, with an emphasis on toxicology assessments and compliance with performance requirements.

A significant part of the Environmental Quality Technology Support project is the management of the SAFR program's demonstration and validation efforts. In FY 2025, this includes projects targeting toxic metal reduction in surface finishing, airborne lead reduction, and the adoption of low global warming potential alternatives to ozone-depleting substances. These efforts directly support Army modernization priorities such as Future Vertical Lift, Next Generation Combat Vehicle, Long Range Precision Fire, and Soldier Lethality.