Joint Munitions Advanced Technology

The Joint Munitions Advanced Technology program, managed by the Office of the Secretary of Defense under Program Element 0603000D8Z, is focused on advancing munitions technologies to provide cross-cutting capabilities for the U.S. military services. The overarching goal is to reestablish deterrence by developing and demonstrating new munitions technologies that address operational and mission-focused challenges. This program aims to deliver enhanced lethality, range, survivability, and performance in both existing and future weapons systems. It supports the Department of Defense's (DoD) priorities in maintaining a technological edge over potential adversaries.

Within this program, there are two primary project codes: Enhanced Munitions Advanced Technology and Energetics Advanced Technology. Each project addresses specific technology gaps and operational needs identified through joint force campaign scenarios and threat assessments. The investments are designed to benefit multiple services by focusing on technologies with broad applicability, such as those supporting One-Way Attack munitions, Counter-small UAS capabilities, and munitions for Homeland Missile Defense.

Enhanced Munitions Advanced Technology is dedicated to maturing and demonstrating advanced munitions technologies, including fuzing, power sources, seeker technologies, and counter-countermeasure capabilities. The objective is to transition these technologies from laboratory-scale demonstrations to operationally relevant prototypes, achieving Technology Readiness Level 5 or higher. In FY 2026, the project will focus on demonstration testing of target tracking proximity fuze radar, development of advanced battery technologies, dynamic testing of low-drag propulsion inlets, and application of warhead dynamic triggering for increased lethality. The project also leverages artificial intelligence, machine learning, and advanced materials to inform research and enable next-generation kinetic weapons.

Energetics Advanced Technology addresses the need to modernize the U.S. energetics industrial base and transition novel energetic materials, such as CL-20, into munitions. The project supports the development, scale-up, and demonstration of advanced explosives and propellants, with the goal of improving weapon lethality, range, and speed. FY 2026 plans include demonstrating advanced energetic materials using modern, continuous manufacturing methods, validating new warhead and propulsion designs, and developing multiple-effects explosives. The project also aims to enhance the resiliency of the U.S. energetics supply chain and manufacturing base.

A key objective within the Energetics Advanced Technology project is the development, production, and integration of CL-20, a high-energy explosive ingredient that offers significant performance advantages over legacy materials. Planned activities include maturing CL-20 formulations, developing military specifications, and providing technical data to support its incorporation into munitions. This work is intended to close knowledge gaps, qualify materials for transition to prototyping, and enable the production of more lethal and longer-range munitions.

Another notable initiative is the development and prototype demonstration of High Reliability Cluster Munitions (HRCM). Efforts will focus on maturing and demonstrating advanced submunition payloads for integration into the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) system. The goal is to develop modular architectures and expulsion designs that can deliver multiple munitions against various targets from a single missile, enhancing area effects and overall operational effectiveness.