Weapons and Munitions - Eng Dev

PE 0604802A: Weapons and Munitions - Eng Dev is a comprehensive Army research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) program element focused on engineering development and system demonstration of advanced weapons and munitions. The program supports modernization priorities across artillery, combat vehicles, small arms, indirect fire systems, and aircraft survivability. Its goal is to improve lethality, range, survivability, and operational effectiveness for U.S. ground forces. Funding is distributed across multiple projects, each targeting specific capability gaps identified by Army Cross Functional Teams (CFTs) and validated in capability development documents (CDDs). BQ3: 155mm Artillery Propulsion XM654 aims to develop the Supercharge propelling charge for 155mm artillery systems, supporting the Army's Cannon Transformation Strategy. The Supercharge is designed to enable extended range for self-propelled howitzers with cannons longer than 52 calibers, such as the future ERCA system. The project includes both bag and combustible cartridge case variants, advanced propellants, and electrically initiated primers. Funding was realigned to DK8, focusing on system demonstration and integration, with prior efforts supporting component development, qualification testing, and risk reduction activities through competitive DOTC OTAs. BY1: Next Generation Combat Vehicle Ammunition supports rapid prototyping and qualification of the 50x228mm ammunition family for the XM30 Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle's XM913 weapon system. The program develops three key cartridges: Target Practice with Tracer (TP-T), Armor Piercing Fin Stabilized Discarding Sabot with Tracer (APFSDS-T), and High Explosive Airburst with Trace (HEAB-T). These munitions provide cost-effective training and enhanced lethality against personnel, ATGM teams, and armored threats. Funding supports developmental test and evaluation (DT&E) and Milestone C documentation, with DOTC OTAs used for rapid prototyping and down-selection. CE3: Precision Munition (Sniper) focuses on transferring advanced lethality technologies to sniper ammunition, supporting the Precision Sniper Rifle (PSR) and related systems. The project develops Anti-Materiel (AM), Improved Performance Round (IPR), and Subsonic capabilities to improve long-range lethality and close-range survivability. Activities include engineering and manufacturing development (EMD), user assessments, production qualification test builds, and commencement of production qualification testing. Acquisition leverages OTA contracts for prototyping and competitive sourcing of components. DC9: 30mm Multi-Mode Proximity Airburst (MMPA) M-SHORAD INC 3 develops the XM1223 MMPA munition for short-range air defense platforms, including M-LIDS and other Joint Force systems with a counter-UAS mission. The programmable fuze enables proximity airburst, delay, gated airburst, point detonate, and self-destruct modes, allowing seamless transition between aerial and ground targets. Funding supports critical design review (CDR) and initiation of ammunition build for DT&E, with rapid prototyping under Middle Tier Acquisition authority and competitive OTA contracts. DK8: 155mm Artillery Propulsion Mod - System Demonstration continues the modernization of artillery propulsion systems, integrating novel propelling charges, modular charges, propellants, ignition systems, and packaging solutions. The goal is to extend firing range, improve rate-of-fire, enhance ammunition suitability, and ensure interoperability across platforms. Funding supports system-level demonstration and testing, focusing on maturity verification, propellant effectiveness, cannon life, and overall survivability. Development utilizes DOTC OTA initiatives for technology integration and risk reduction. EC4: Non-Standard Simulator Munitions standardizes pyrotechnic simulators for battlefield effects used in Army Combat Training Centers (CTCs). The project develops and qualifies simulators for smoke, blast, RPGs, tracer fire, and multispectral screening, replacing non-type-classified commercial products to improve safety, sustainability, and training realism. Funding supports completion of engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) for HiOBE, smoke effects, and Milestone C documentation, with incremental fielding of new simulators. EL9: Ammunitions Logistics Prototyping matures and integrates logistics technologies to enhance tactical ammunition transportation, distribution, inventory management, and survivability. Proven through warfighter exercises, these enablers reduce the logistics footprint and improve operational efficiency. Funding supports technology integration, design reviews, risk management, and compliance with emerging data architectures, aligning with recommendations from multiple CFTs. EP2: Shoulder-Launched Munitions consolidates the capabilities of the M141 Bunker Defeat Munition and M136 AT4CS RS into the XM919 Individual Assault Munition (IAM) system, reducing logistics and training burdens. The program includes tactical munitions and training devices, supporting urban and complex terrain operations with fire-from-enclosure capability. Engineering and manufacturing development was completed and production contracts awarded, with user excursions planned prior to full materiel release. EP4: One-Way Luminescence for Small Caliber Ammo develops tracer rounds for 7.62mm and 5.56mm ammunition that are visible only to the shooter, enhancing survivability and lethality by incorporating Enhanced Performance Round (EPR) technology. The program completed engineering and manufacturing development and transitioned to production, replacing legacy pyrotechnic tracers in small caliber configurations. EP7: Aviation Airborne Expendable Countermeasures develops and qualifies expendable countermeasure flares and decoys (XM215 IR and XM20 RF) for Army aircraft survivability against MANPADS and SAM threats. Funding supports modeling, simulation, flight testing, and operational testing, with coordination between PEO Aviation and the FVL ASE CFT. Acquisition uses OTA contracts for prototype development and transitions to FAR-based production contracts. EU4: 40mm HV Improved High Explosive Dual Purpose provides the Mk19 Mod 3 Grenade Machine Gun with airburst-capable cartridges for counter-defilade and anti-vehicle effects. The program retrofits legacy warheads with new fuzes, supporting live fire testing and transition to procurement after engineering and manufacturing development and Milestone C. EU6: 155mm HE Rocket Assist Project Extended Range develops the Next Generation Rocket Assisted Projectile (NGRAP) to increase artillery range and improve accuracy and lethality. Funding supports engineering, design maturation, and engineering and manufacturing development, with competitive DOTC OTA contracts and planned transition to FAR-based production. EW1: 40mm Low Velocity Ammunition develops the XM1166 Low Velocity High Explosive Air Burst cartridge for the M320 Grenade Launcher, enabling engagement of targets in defilade at increased ranges. The program completed engineering and manufacturing development and transitions to procurement, with competitive OTA contracts used for development and testing. FA6: 30mm Lethality funds development of 30mm armor piercing and high explosive airburst cartridges for Stryker ICV, NGCV, and other platforms, supporting anti-personnel, anti-materiel, and counter-UAS missions. Funding supports developmental and live fire testing, and Milestone C preparation, with competitive OTA contracts for development and planned FAR-based production. FJ4: Cannon-Delivered Area Effects Munitions (C-DAEM) develops DoD policy-compliant munitions to replace DPICM, providing area effects against personnel and armored targets. The program pursues parallel solutions for anti-armor and personnel effects, using competitive DOTC OTA contracts for development, testing, and M-Code GPS integration. There is no budget request for this project as prior efforts focused on engineering and qualification. FL4: Small Caliber Ammo for Next Gen Squad Weapons develops and fields 6.8mm ammunition variants in parallel with NGSW rifle and automatic rifle development. Funding supports live fire testing, production qualification, optimization, and transition from rapid prototyping to major capability acquisition, with multiple contractors and congressional adds supporting manufacturing innovation. MS1: Battalion Mortar System Modernization supports development and qualification of modernized 81mm mortar weapon, fire control, and mobility systems for IBCTs and ABCTs. Funding supports design, prototyping, and testing of systems compatible with legacy and future ammunition, aiming to increase range, lethality, and survivability. Development is led by DEVCOM Armaments Center and Benet Labs, with testing at ATEC facilities. S36: Precision Guidance Kit develops a course-correcting fuze for 155mm artillery projectiles, improving precision accuracy at extended ranges and supporting GPS-degraded environments. Funding supports hardware fabrication, safety, and development testing, with competitive DOTC and Cornerstone OTA contracts used for concept development, and planned transition to FAR-based production at Milestone C. XT6: Medium Caliber Anti-Personnel and Counter UAS develops proximity airburst munitions for anti-personnel, counter-UAS, and small boat missions, including the 30x113mm Aviation Proximity Explosive (APEX) and 25mm BADGER rounds. Funding supports material procurement, design review, live fire testing, and achievement of Milestone B, with OTA contracts supporting development and testing.