Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD)

The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Program under Line Item 355450 in the Air Force's FY 2026 budget is designed to procure specialized munitions, demolition materials, and equipment that support EOD operations, Civil Engineering, Security Forces Military Working Dogs, RED HORSE units, Special Forces, and formal training schools. The primary goal is to ensure readiness and safety in both peacetime and contingency operations by providing certified assets for the detection, neutralization, and disposal of unexploded ordnance and improvised explosive devices (IEDs). These materials are essential for deployment packages, base response assets, and range clearance, directly supporting operational plans and homeland defense missions.

This line item funds the procurement of a wide range of EOD and demolition materials, including charges, blasting caps, detonating cords, and specialized cartridges. All items are certified for use by the Air Force Non-Nuclear Munitions Safety Board (NNMSB) and the Department of Defense Explosives Safety Board (DDESB), ensuring compliance with stringent safety standards. The procurement process is guided by Title 10, U.S. Code Section 2308, which allows for buy-to-budget acquisition strategies, enabling flexibility in quantities based on negotiated pricing and available funding. Inventory objectives are continually updated in response to Combatant Commanders' requirements and operational plans.

One key objective is to address production challenges such as Diminishing Manufacturing Sources (DMS), material shortages, and obsolescence. Funding is allocated for studies, bridge buys, life-of-type buys, supplier and parts replacement, and qualification activities to preserve future production capabilities. This ensures that critical EOD materials remain available and reliable, even as commercial electronic components and other supplies become scarce or obsolete.

The program also invests in digital acquisition practices, upgrading analytical, information management, and security infrastructure to support ongoing development and sustainment. The Demolition Material Procurement component includes items such as C4 demolition charges (M112), TNT charges, shaped charges, and explosive cutting tapes. These materials are used for a variety of EOD tasks, including safe disposal of ordnance, range clearance, and training exercises.

The program funds inert and non-electric blasting caps, electric blasting caps, and time fuzes, which are critical for controlled demolition operations and training scenarios. Quantities are allocated annually to active, Guard, and Reserve components based on current-year requirements and War Reserve Material (WRM) stockpile objectives. The Specialized Cartridge Procurement includes new start items such as the MK 277 Enhanced Blank and the 50 Caliber Electric Blank MK209 MOD 1. These cartridges are used in training and operational scenarios to simulate explosive effects without live detonation, supporting Military Working Dog training and formal schools.

Additional items such as the MK280 Aluminum Slug, M275 Avon Cartridge, and M274 Ultra Cartridge provide specialized capabilities for EOD teams in both training and operational environments. Funding for this program is contained in Program Element (PE) 0204424F and supports the requirements outlined in Section 1815 of the FY 2008 National Defense Authorization Act (P.L. 110-181). This ensures that EOD assets are available for homeland defense, domestic emergency response, and military support to civil authorities. The program leverages Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of the Air Force (DAF) enterprise IT solutions to enhance digital environments, networks, and facilities, further supporting the sustainment and modernization of EOD capabilities.