Weapons and Munitions - Eng Dev

Abstract

This Program Element funds multiple efforts for engineering development of weapons and munitions systems. Project 613, Mortar Systems: This Project supports Fire Control Modernization (FCM) and High Explosive Guided Mortar (HEGM). The Fire Control Modernization (FCM) Project funds engineering development of Common / Universal Fire Control Systems applicable to Indirect Fire mortar weapon systems. This includes a modernized digital pointing system that will be integrated with the M120A1 120mm mortar weapon systems, M121 120mm mortar weapon systems, and potentially digitize the M252 81mm mortar weapon systems. Fire Control Modernization will replace the current M67 sight unit and upgrade the M95 and M150 fire control systems with modernized pointing device and mount. The modernized pointing device will enhance responsiveness, survivability, mobility, maintainability, and minimize mortar crew exposure to enemy fire. Fire Control Modernization intends to include the addition of round counting capabilities, muzzle velocity sensing, reduced power draw, streamlined communication, and employ a common fire control software solution across mortar systems. FY 2020 funds will support engineering initiatives and prototyping of fire control line replaceable units (LRU) and software. The High Explosive Guided Mortar (HEGM) Project funded engineering development of precision guidance systems applicable to Indirect Fire mortar weapon systems. HEGM provides a precision capability to support the close fight in urban and complex terrain, while at the same time, reducing collateral damage. HEGM provides precision accuracy and effectiveness for 120mm mortar systems using precision guidance systems that will effectively reduce target delivery error. The HEGM capability will be developed through the use of improved guidance and control components and advanced airframe design that allow sufficient maneuver of the cartridge in flight to correct for induced error providing the ability to engage targets without the need to adjust fire. The HEGM Project was terminated in FY 2018 with close-out completion in FY 2019. Project EC4, Non-Standard Simulator Munitions: The Non-Standard Simulator Munitions Project will standardize various pyrotechnics that simulate battlefield effects. The Army's Combat Training Centers (CTCs) are currently using non-standard munitions to replicate both conventional and asymmetric warfare battlefield effects. These modified commercial-off-the-shelf products have not been type classified, material released, and are not safe or sustainable for use by Soldiers. This effort will develop and demonstrate various pyrotechnics/simulators to replicate both conventional and asymmetric warfare battlefield affects such as: Black smoke signature (burning vehicles, buildings, and equipment); Yellow smoke signature (chemical, biological or nuclear effects); Macro pyrotechnics to simulate hostile fire and small Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) during mounted operations in urban terrain; Micro pyrotechnics to simulate indoor hostile fire and IED effects that are capable of being integrated into existing facilities; Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) on a wire to replicate the flight of a Rocket Propelled Grenade; High Order Blast Effect (HiOBE) used to replicate a Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED), building explosions, and other significant explosive events; Artillery airburst (LA45) simulator to replicate indirect fire; simulator to replicate a STINGER (LA47) firing; Tracer Fire-back simulator to replicate enemy small arms fire and anti-aircraft fire. Standardization will reduce training costs, eliminate redundancies between systems, mitigate environmental concerns and safety risks associated with realistic scenario based training. Project ED7, Advanced Multipurpose (AMP) Cartridge: The Advanced Multi Purpose (AMP) Project is a direct fire line of sight 120mm large caliber munition under development for the Abrams Main Battle Tank. AMP has three modes of operation including point detonate, point detonate delay, and airburst. AMP is the materiel solution for breaching double reinforced concrete walls and defeating Anti Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) teams from 50m to 2000m threshold and 50m to 4500m objective, a validated gap that cannot currently be met with existing stockpiled ammunition. In addition to added capability, AMP will also consolidate the capabilities of four existing stockpiled 120mm munitions, thereby addressing the users' battle carry dilemma by allowing them to load a single munition that is capable of defeating multiple targets including Anti Tank Guided Missile teams, reinforced walls, personnel, light armor, bunkers, and obstacles. The full performance of the AMP is obtained with an Abrams equipped Ammunition Data Link breech modification, the same required by the 120mm M829A4 cartridge that achieved Milestone C in FY 2014 and achieved Full Materiel Release in FY 2015. FY 2020 funds supports continuation of Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) efforts and testing in preparation for Milestone C and transition into Procurement. Project EL9, Ammunition Logistics Prototyping: The Ammunition Logistics Prototyping Project supports the future force by improving the distribution, management, reliability and survivability of ammunition through the advanced development, integration, and demonstration of logistics system enablers. These enablers will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of ammunition operations, to include retrograde, while reducing the logistics footprint on the battlefield. Technology areas addressed include handling, distribution, and management (strategic and tactical), prognostics, diagnostics, and asset visibility, explosives safety, and adaptive and environmentally friendly packaging and palletization. The efficient deployment and sustainment of reliable ammunition is vital to success on the battlefield. This project enhances the operational effectiveness of the ammunition logistics system to ensure the distribution of reliable ammunition to the warfighter. FY 2020 funding will be used to continue integrating the munitions health monitoring system with additional ammunition items and conduct qualification tests and continue to integrate passive time/temperature exposure sensors with additional ammunition items and conduct qualification testing. Project EP2, Shoulder-Launched Munitions: This project previously funded the one-time acceleration of the Tandem Warhead type classification and completion of development and testing for use in the Shoulder Launched AT-4 Single-use 84mm Anti-Tank Weapon. The AT-4 Tandem Warhead provides a single shot solution with increased lethality for infantry crew formations against anti-armor and to defeat hardened structures. The AT-4 effort was part of the Secretary of Defense's Close Combat Lethality task force. The Individual Assault Munition (IAM) will be a lightweight Shoulder Launched Munition (SLM) capability for combat units at the individual Soldier level. As an improvement over existing Shoulder Launched Munitions, the solution will allow Soldiers to conduct Urban Operations with an ability to defeat the enemy protected by a variety of field expedient, structural and lightly armored vehicles. This solution will be effective day or night at close ranges with an ability to safely engage targets from within enclosures using single hearing protection. This solution will combine the capability of multiple existing shoulder-launched munitions which will allow for reduced Soldier load, training complexity and logistics burden for Light Infantry, Combat Engineers and Special Operations Forces. FY 2020 funding will provide the Army the opportunity to evaluate various prototype munitions to achieve emerging increased capability as an Individual Assault Munition. The Individual Assault Munition Capabilities Development Document (CDD) was approved on 11 March 2016. The Individual Assault Munition effort is a new start in FY 2020. Project EP3, Reduced Range Ammunition - Small Caliber: The small caliber Reduced Range Ammunition (RRA) Project is a critical technology development in response to the 7.62mm and .50 caliber Capabilities Development Documents (CDD). The overall objective of Reduced Range Ammunition is to provide training ammunition suitable for use on military installations with Surface Danger Zone (SDZ) restrictions. The relatively long maximum range of the 7.62mm and .50 caliber service ammunition poses challenges on training ranges in range restricted areas. Reduced Range Ammunition will mitigate a training gap on installations by providing a materiel solution that meets training needs while shortening and condensing the SDZ. This will allow soldiers to train with 7.62mm and .50 caliber weapons on restricted ranges. The Reduced Range Ammunition cartridge design will be compatible with all Army 7.62mm and .50 caliber weapons, but specifically optimized to work in the M240 and M2 Machine Guns. FY 2020 funding supports continuing Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) efforts and performing design/verification testing on the 7.62mm variant. FY 2020 funds also support Milestone (MS) B activities to include Preliminary Design Review (PDR) and Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) Contract Award for the .50 caliber variant. FY 2020 funds also supports Reduced Range Ammunition concept development/evaluation for the Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW) systems. Project EP4, One-Way Luminescence for Small Caliber Ammo: The One Way Luminescence (OWL) project is a critical technology development in response to the 7.62mm and 5.56mm Families of Ammunition Capabilities Development Documents (CDD) and .50 Caliber Munitions CDD. Current small caliber ammunition tracer rounds are a pyrotechnic tracer mix which allows enemy forces to see the trace round and track its trajectory back to the shooter. The OWL projects objective is to develop and field a full day/night tracer round, replace the current pyrotechnic cartridges with trace cartridges that are only visible to the shooter and soldiers in close proximity, increasing soldier survivability. 7.62mm is the immediate focus followed by 5.56mm OWL cartridges and later followed by .50 Caliber cartridges and Next Generation Squad Weapons (NGSW) ammunition. FY 2020 funding will support continuing Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) efforts, conducting a Critical Design review (CDR), performing development tests, and a User Assessment (UA) for the 7.62mm variant. FY 2020 also supports concept development/evaluation of OWL tracer solutions for .50 Caliber weapons and NGSW. Project EP5, Adv Armor-Piercing (ADVAP) for Small Caliber Ammo: This Project supports both the Advanced Armor-Piercing ammunition and the Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW) Family of Ammunition. - Advanced Armor-Piercing (ADVAP): The ADVAP project is a critical technology development in response to the 7.62mm and 5.56mm Family of Ammunition Capabilities Development Documents (CDD). The nomenclature for the 7.62mm ADVAP is XM1158. The overall objective of the ADVAP project is to develop and Full Materiel Release (FMR) both 7.62mm XM1158 cartridge for the M240 machine gun and ADVAP ammunition in calibers below 7.62mm. The ADVAP ammunition in calibers below 7.62mm for the Next Generation Squad Weapons is referred to as the Special Purpose ammunition. The objective is to provide overmatch capability to defeat advanced light armored threats within typical machine gun engagement ranges. No funding has been requested for ADVAP in FY 2020. - Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW) Family of Ammunition: The NGSW ammo is a new ammunition technology under development for use in the Next Generation Squad Weapon systems. The objective is to develop and Full Materiel Release (FMR) the new ammunition. No funding requested in FY 2020. Project EP7, Aviation Airborne Expandable Countermeasures: The Aviation Airborne Expandable Countermeasures Project will support Integrated System Design (ISD), System Capability (SC) and Manufacturing Process Demonstrations (MPD) on current pyrotechnic munitions and tunable pyrotechnic aircraft counter measures and decoys. The project will also support ISD, SC and MPD on new expendable countermeasure munitions that will protect Army aircraft from advanced and current guided missile threats. Activities include modeling and simulation, flight testing, qualification testing, engineering to reduce size and weight, environmental considerations, safety enhancements, manufacturing enhancements, qualification of other service and foreign munitions that could meet current requirements, product improvements, insertion of new technologies to increase performance, and enhancement of current flare solutions for new and existing aircraft. Systems include impulse cartridges and aircraft expendables (to include Radio Frequency (RF) expendables). Project EU4, 40mm HV Improved High Explosive Dual Purpose: 40mm High Velocity (HV) High Explosive Dual Purpose - Airburst (HEDP-AB) is a new capability identified in the 40mm High Velocity Improved High Explosive Dual Purpose Cartridge Capability Development Document (CDD) and will provide the Mk19 Mod 3 Grenade Machine Gun (GMG) an airburst capable cartridge with the ability of achieving required lethal effects against enemy targets in the open and in defilade while maintaining the capability to defeat unarmored and lightly armored vehicles. FY 2020 funding supports Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) activities including Design Engineering Test (DET) 1, DET 2, Soldier Touch Point (Limited User Evaluation), Family of Weapon Sights - Crew Served (FWS-CS) Integration, and preparation for the contractor down-selection. Project EU6: The XM1113 High Explosive Extended Range Artillery Projectile is a critical munition that supports the Army's modernization priorities in support of the National Defense Strategy. The XM1113 is a government owned materiel solution for long-range cannon artillery projectiles that will attain ranges of 40km in 39 caliber weapon systems and 70km in future systems. The XM1113 will provide 33% increased range over obsolete and aging M549A1 Rocket Assisted Projectile using a larger, modern rocket motor and optimized aerodynamic airframe. The XM1113 will leverage enhanced lethality cannon munition technologies to compensate for increased rocket motor volume. The projectile body is filled with an insensitive munition (IM) high explosive (HE) and a supplementary charge to aid in soldier survivability. FY 2020 funds will support fuze performance evaluation and confirmation with XM1113 for Urgent Materiel Release (UMR) in FY 2021, as well as the continued engineering efforts of the XM1113 maturation in support of a Milestone C in FY 2022. Project EU7: The Enhanced Lethality Cannon Munitions (ELCM) Project will evaluate, develop, and qualify new lethality technologies for 155mm cannon artillery munitions and evaluate their effectiveness in mitigating evolving and derived capability gaps, and support transition to production. The ELCM Project supports testing and assessment of the Israeli Military Industries (IMI) Systems M999 advanced anti-personnel munition and also accelerates the qualification of the 155mm XM1128 High Explosive Projectile including the evaluation of Lithographic Fragmentation Technology (LFT); both of these initiatives support the Army Directed Requirement for a Rapid Bridging Solution for the replacement of the 155mm Dual Purpose Improved Conventional Munition (DPICM). FY 2020 funds will support fuze performance evaluation and confirmation with XM1128, as well as continued Insensitive Munitions (IM) testing, Sequential Environmental Test - Safety (SET-S), and Military Standard Environmental Engineering Considerations and Laboratory Tests (MIL-STD-810). Engineering efforts will support the evaluation of the XM1128 test data to determine that the Program is safe, suitable and operationally effective, as well as the gathering of all statutory and regulatory requirements in support of a Milestone C in FY 2021. Project EU8: The Improved Multi-Option Fuze Project (MOFA II/iMOFM) is a technology refresh and modernization effort that provides an incremental capability with technology advancements and performance improvements on the current non-precision artillery and mortar ammunition proximity multi-option fuzes that will increase robustness to electronic countermeasures (ECM), eliminates the susceptibility of reverse engineering (RE), incorporates power source advancements, improves delay mode reliability, and integrates safe & arm improvements. This will develop and qualify safe, affordable, reliable Proximity Height of Burst fuzing solutions with robust Defense Exportability Features (DEF) for non-precision conventional Cannon artillery and Mortar munitions that are resistant to adversary exploitation via ECM and RE threats. FY 2020 will support the preparation and incrementing of Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) contracts, the fabrication of MOFA II and iMOFM hardware to conduct developmental verification tests and Product Qualification Tests (PQT), the iMOFM Critical Design Review (CDR), and the preparations for transition into production. Project EW1: The 40mm Low Velocity High Explosive Air Burst (HEAB) is a new capability identified as a Warfighter requirement in the Capability Development Document (CDD), 40mm Low Velocity (LV) Family of Ammunition Annex. The 40mm Low Velocity HEAB tactical cartridge allows the warfighter to engage targets at increased effective ranges using the 40mm M320 Grenade Launcher. The HEAB cartridge provides the grenadier with a higher probability of achieving a first shot kill against enemy personnel, coupled with the ability to defeat personnel targets in defilade positions. When deployed against point and area targets, the cartridge inflicts incapacitating effects against personnel beyond those offered by the current M433 High Explosive Dual Purpose (HEDP) cartridge. The cartridge provides lethal effects against targets with improved accuracy and greater standoff ranges increasing Soldier Survivability. FY 2020 will support Design Engineering Test (DET) 2 and DET 3 build, Soldier Touch Point (Limited User Evaluation), Test Readiness Reviews (TRRs) and DET 2 Testing. The 40mm Low Velocity (LV) Door Breach (DB), XM1167, cartridge allows the grenadier to conduct a ballistic breach of an existing door to create an entry point into a building or other structure. This capability is critical during Urban Operations, while having stand-off ability to conduct ballistic breach at ranges up to 50 meters away, with a single-shot, and without pause between actual breach and entry of initial force. The 40mm DB cartridge will provide the small unit with the capability to conduct efficient breaching operations; allowing the Warfighter to create an entry point into a structure for an assault element to enter and begin clearing operations, one of the most difficult types of operations that Soldiers may face in an urban environment. The 40mm DB cartridge will reduce collateral damage and friendly casualties associated with breaching operations. The deployment of 40mm Door Breach cartridges will enable the small unit to gain and maintain a tactical advantage through efficiency of combat power and momentum. No funding requested in FY 2020. Project FA6: The 30mm Lethality project funds the development of a suite of 30x173mm caliber cartridges, which includes anti-personnel tactical and training cartridges and anti-materiel tactical and training cartridges as well as Airburst Munition cartridges for Urgent Materiel Release (UMR) and Full Materiel Release (FMR). The objective is to enhance the operational effectiveness and lethality of the Stryker Infantry Carrier Vehicle (ICV), Next Generation Combat Vehicle (NGCV), and any Army Fighting Vehicles that are equipped with a 30x173mm weapon system. The tactical cartridges will provide an organic direct fire capability to support infantry at a greater range and will improve lethality when engaging dismounted infantry and light armored vehicles. The training cartridges will be ballistically matched to the tactical cartridges, allowing the Warfighter to train in a cost effective manner. The Airburst munitions will provide the Warfighter with increased lethality against troops in the open, counter defilade and anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM). This project will leverage earlier efforts in support of the Stryker Operational Needs Statement (ONS) for Increased Lethality for the 2nd Calvary Regiment (2CR), United States Army Europe (USAREUR) (HQDA ONS 15-20590). FY 2020 funding will support three Design Engineering Tests (DET) and a Design Verification Test (DVT) for the non-airburst 30x173mm suite of ammunition. FY 2020 will also support Milestone B and Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) contract award for the 30x173mm Airburst munition. Project FL4: Next Generation Squad Weapons (NGSW) Family of Ammunition: The Small Caliber Ammo for Next Gen Squad Weapons project is a critical technology development in response to the Soldier Lethality Cross Functional Team (SL CFT) Initial Capability Document (ICD) for the ammunition required to support the rapid prototyping, development, and fielding of the Next Generation Squad Weapons (NGSW) under Section 804 Authority. The objective is to develop and Full Materiel Release (FMR) the new ammunition. The NGSW ammunition is split into two initial variants, the General Purpose (GP) and the Special Purpose (SP). FY 2020 funding supports continuing rapid prototyping/development of the GP projectile, building prototypes and maturing prototypes to provide to the weapon system contractors for performance evaluation, conducting a Critical Design Review (CDR), and conducting prototype testing. FY 2020 also supports continuing rapid prototyping for the SP projectile, conducting a Preliminary Design Review (PDR), conducting an Initial Product Review (IPR), and performing activities to increase prototype capacity to support planned weapon system testing. Follow-on NGSW ammunition types include: tracer ammunition, blank ammunition, reduced range ammunition, and Close Combat Mission Capability Kit (CCMCK) ammunition. Development efforts on the follow-on NGSW ammunition variants are scheduled to begin in FY 2022. FY 2020 supports initial activities to evaluate potential solutions/prototypes and concepts to satisfy follow-on NGSW ammunition requirements. Project S36: The Precision Guidance Kit (PGK) is a course correcting fuze that provides precision accuracy and efficiency for current and future 155mm High Explosive (HE) projectiles by eliminating a portion of the inherent errors associated with ballistic firing solutions which effectively reduces the number of projectiles required to execute fire missions. PGK utilizes a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver and internal Guidance and Navigation Computer to accomplish its mission with point detonating and height of burst fuzing functions. The PGK M1156E1 effort will incorporate and qualify state of the art technologies to increase the functionality of PGK in GPS degraded environments as well as compatibility with the Army's new long range cannon (Extended Range Cannon Artillery (ERCA)) and projectiles which will be fielded during the PGK Life Cycle. PGK Anti-Jam (PGK-AJ) supports future 155mm projectiles and M777 Long Range Cannon (LRC) initiatives and Army Modernization Priorities in support of the National Defense Strategy. FY 2020 funding supports the award of the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) contract initiating system design and prototype development for PGK Anti-Jam.

Document Details

• Document Type: R2 Budgetary Justification
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2020
• Source ID: 0604802A_5_2040_PB_2020
• Change Summary Explanation: FY 2020 increase of $13.070 million supports the Army's modernization priorities in support of the National Defense Strategy.
• Service Agency Name: Army

Entities

Organizations

• United States Army

Tags

Communities of Interest

• Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

• Ammunition
• Ammunition Testing
• Anti-Tank Missiles
• Anti-Tank Weapons
• Armored Vehicles
• Asymmetric Warfare
• Explosive Devices
• Explosives
• Fire Control Systems
• High Explosive Ammunition
• High Explosives
• Insensitive Explosives
• Munitions
• Munitions Testing
• Ordnance Laboratories
• Test And Evaluation
• Weapons Effects

Readers

• Munitions and Ordnance Engineering

Technology Areas

• Microelectronics
• Microelectronics - Microelectromechanical Systems
• Space