Joint Munitions Technology

The Joint Munitions Technology program, managed by the Office of the Secretary of Defense under Program Element 0602000D8Z, is a research and development initiative focused on advancing munitions technologies to maintain and enhance U.S. military superiority. The program is structured to address operational and mission-driven challenges by developing and demonstrating new technologies in energetics, warheads, propulsion, advanced lethality mechanisms, fuzes, and target detection.

Its overarching goal is to provide the Joint Force with future kinetic fires capabilities that ensure a technological advantage for U.S. warfighters, informed by analyses of current and emerging threats across a range of campaign scenarios.

The program is executed through two primary project codes: Enhanced Munitions and Energetics Technology. Each project targets specific technological gaps and operational needs within the Department of Defense's munitions enterprise. The investments made under these projects support a broad spectrum of munitions, including those used in One-Way Attack, Counter-small UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems), and Homeland Missile Defense. These efforts also contribute to the resiliency and production capacity of the domestic munitions and energetics industrial base.

Enhanced Munitions focuses on developing cross-cutting enabling technologies for munitions, such as advanced fuzing, power sources, target detection sensors, and counter-countermeasure systems. The project aims to improve munition lethality and survivability in both permissive and contested environments. Specific objectives include the development of machine learning-based target detection devices, dynamic trigger fuzing for optimized warhead detonation, and adaptable proximity fuzing for engaging moving targets.

Starting in FY 2026, a significant new focus is the development of Alternative Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (Alt-PNT) technologies to ensure munition effectiveness in GPS-denied environments, leveraging a Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) for flexibility and rapid integration. Planned activities for FY 2025 and FY 2026 include proof-of-concept testing of adaptable proximity fuzing, laboratory testing of advanced thermal battery materials for high-energy power sources, and research into fuze architectures that utilize machine learning for fast-moving target engagement. The Alt-PNT initiative will also conduct laboratory and proof-of-concept tests for MOSA-compliant guidance and navigation solutions, focusing on reducing the size, weight, and power requirements of these technologies while ensuring robust performance in denied environments.

Energetics Technology addresses the need to modernize the energetic materials (explosives and propellants) that underpin U.S. munitions. The project's mission is to expedite the research, development, and transition of novel energetic chemicals, formulations, and manufacturing processes to improve munition performance and supply chain resilience. The focus includes developing high-efficiency propellants, advanced explosives for enhanced blast and fragmentation, and new materials for underwater and target-penetrating munitions. The project also explores the use of biotechnology-derived chemicals and artificial intelligence/machine learning to accelerate material development and testing.

For FY 2025 and FY 2026, Energetics Technology will continue developing advanced underwater explosive formulations, high-performance propellants, and novel synthesized energetics materials. Efforts will also include scaling up processes for printable minimum smoke propellants, testing advanced energetics for improved shaped charge and penetrator warheads, and evaluating the performance of new explosive and propellant formulations in relevant systems. These activities are closely aligned with DoD Munitions S&T Strategic Priorities and are designed to address cross-cutting technology gaps identified through operational and threat assessments.