Joint Energetic Transition Office

The Joint Energetics Transition Office (JETO) is a new program element established under the Office of the Secretary of Defense, as directed by the FY 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The primary goal of JETO is to serve as a Department of Defense (DoD) field activity dedicated to systems engineering associated with energetic materials substances used in munitions, explosives, and propellants. Funding is requested to initiate the office's roles and responsibilities, with the intent to enhance the transition of advanced energetic materials and technologies into operational defense programs.

JETO's objectives are multifaceted and include both strategic and tactical roles. Strategically, the office is tasked with developing an Energetic Materials Strategic Plan and Investment Strategy. This plan will set performance metrics, guide investment decisions, and be updated and reported on annually to ensure progress and alignment with DoD priorities. The strategic plan aims to provide a comprehensive roadmap for the research, development, and integration of new energetic materials across the defense enterprise.

On the tactical side, JETO is responsible for identifying and addressing supply chain shortfalls related to energetic materials. This includes leveraging existing tools and working groups to track supply chain health, identifying vulnerabilities, and developing mitigation plans. The office will also determine which military targets and mission areas could benefit most from advanced energetic materials, thereby informing the Program Objective Memorandum (POM) process and supporting more effective resource allocation.

A key coordination role for JETO is to identify, mature, and transition promising new energetic materials and associated technologies. The office will facilitate the prototyping, testing, and demonstration of these materials, expediting their movement from research and development to production and operational use. JETO is also charged with sharing energetic Test & Evaluation (T&E) data across the DoD, which is intended to reduce duplication of effort and accelerate technology adoption.

JETO will also conduct directed studies to inform the Energetic Materials Strategic Plan and Investment Strategy. These studies may include recommendations for regulatory changes to expedite the validation, verification, and accreditation of modeling and simulation tools, as well as the qualification process for new energetic materials. The office will oversee processes to ensure that the transition from discovery through integration is as efficient as possible, reducing technical risk and supporting rapid fielding of advanced capabilities.

In terms of program management, JETO will utilize efficient contracting vehicles, including Other Transaction Authorities (OTA) and both new and existing contract mechanisms, to maximize flexibility and responsiveness. The office is also required to produce three standalone reports and one annual report to Congress, ensuring transparency and accountability in its activities. Funding will primarily support the initial staffing and execution of these statutory roles and responsibilities.