Joint DoD-DoE Munitions Technology Development

The Joint DoD-DoE Munitions Technology Development Program (JMP) is a collaborative initiative between the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of Energy (DoE), managed by the Office of the Secretary of Defense. The primary goal of this program is to advance the science and technology (S&T) underpinning conventional munitions, with a focus on enabling significant improvements in munition design, performance, survivability, and lethality. The JMP supports the Department's broader strategic objectives, including reestablishing deterrence, prevailing in conflict, defending the homeland, and building sustainable long-term advantages for the U.S. military.

A key objective of this program is to develop foundational S&T investments that address both current and future operational needs. This includes research and development in decision tools, diagnostics, and datasets to support munition design and evaluation. The program also focuses on advancing munition delivery technologies, such as weapon bodies and propulsion systems, to ensure survivability under extreme conditions. Additionally, investments are made in munition controls, including fuzing, microelectronics, power systems, sensors, and survivable components, to enhance the reliability and effectiveness of munitions.

The JMP leverages the unique capabilities and resources of the DoE, including advanced scientific equipment, specialized skills, and computational tools not available within the DoD. The program utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to develop novel high entropy alloys, advanced energetics, and fast-running damage models. These tools are critical for improving the assessment of maritime lethality and for supporting the development of munitions such as One-Way Attack systems, counter-small unmanned aerial systems (UAS) technologies, and munitions for homeland missile defense.

The program is structured around four Technology Coordination Groups (TCGs), each led by DoD Service laboratory subject matter experts. These groups evaluate the technical progress and relevance of each project to ensure alignment with DoD priorities and emerging threats. The JMP maintains a structured cadence of threat-informed requirements development, joint service portfolio development, and bi-annual technical reviews. This process ensures that investments are targeted at high-priority capability gaps and that technology transitions effectively to operational use.

Specific accomplishments and planned activities for FY 2025 and FY 2026 include the development of high-fidelity simulations for combined effects explosive (CEX) warheads, macroscale failure models for metals, and prototype supercapacitors with improved energy density. The program also aims to demonstrate machine learning algorithms for counter-UAS platforms, deliver next-generation modeling and simulation capabilities for blast effects, and develop advanced measurement techniques for thermal protection systems in hypersonic environments. Further, efforts are underway to improve material models for metallic materials, design rapid assessment tools for lethality, and accelerate the discovery of new alloys through computation-driven approaches.

A notable increase in the FY 2026 budget is attributed to the Technology Development Support line, which is a classified effort focused on supporting initial design decisions, analyzing component survivability, and determining the feasibility of critical design elements. This increase reflects the Department's priorities in advancing classified munitions technologies that are essential for maintaining a technological edge.