Weapons and Munitions - Eng Dev

Abstract

Multiple Projects within Program Element Weapons and Munitions - Eng Dev, are key enablers of the Army's Cannon Modernization Priorities: 155mm Artillery Propulsion (Project BQ3), 155mm High Explosive Rocket Assisted Projectile Extended Range (Project EU6) and Precision Guidance Kit (Project S36). Project 613, Mortar Systems funds engineering development and demonstration of new technologies that will support modernized mortar weapon and mortar fire control systems. This includes capabilities that provide commonality between current and future weapon and fire control systems to help mitigate technology shortfalls and critical capability gaps. Future mortar systems that address these gaps include remote mortar turrets for mounted mortar systems, future cannon design study and improvements, round counter design effort, high-pressure capable cannons/components, tactical vehicle integration and composite/lightweight components for mounted/dismounted systems as well any future mortar modernization efforts to improve system capability and performance to meet future capability gaps. Mortar Fire Control Systems capabilities include lightweight inertial measurement and navigation (IMU/INU) units for weapon pointing, simplified Ethernet/wireless-based digital communications interfaces, development of updated fire control software to enable commonality and modularity (plug and play capability), integration with existing/future platform interfaces to meet Modular Open Architecture Standard (MOSA), and support for commercial off-the-shelf (COTS)/modified commercial off-the-shelf (MCOTS) fire control components. There is no FY 2025 funding request. Project BQ3, 155MM Artillery Propulsion Supercharge funding will support the Army's Cannon Modernization Strategy, which includes Paladin Integrated Management (PIM) Armament Upgrade and Next Generation Cannon, and all utilized cannons that are 52-calibers or longer; such as the future 58-caliber Extended Range Cannon Artillery (ERCA). Supercharge is a stand-alone top-zone 155 millimeter (mm) propelling charge required to achieve maximum range requirements beyond 50 kilometers (km) from Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH) equipped with cannon length greater than 52-calibers. Supercharge will achieve lethality overmatch out to 70km from future US-developed and produced Long Range Precision Fires Weapon Systems using both existing and developmental extended range projectiles and will potentially increase range with compatible legacy projectiles up to thirty percent. Supercharge is composed of an earlier bag variant and later combustible cartridge case, integral metal stub case, electrically initiated primer, and advanced artillery propellant. This Project supports the Urgent Materiel Release (UMR) Supercharge (bag configuration) qualification required for fielding an initial capability of two battalions, and also supports the development of the Full Materiel Release (FMR) Supercharge that will address high technology and integration risks unique to achieving extended range to include improved design opportunities for pressure temperature curve, cannon tube wear and ensure fielding robustness. FY 2025 funding will continue to support Supercharge component development, improve propellant for longer cannon life, conduct testing and development of artillery propulsion charges and primers in support of the Army's Cannon Modernization Strategy. Project BY1, Next Generation Combat Vehicle Ammunition: 50x228 millimeter (mm) family of ammunition is a critical technology development in response to the Next Generation Combat Vehicle (NGCV) Abbreviated Capability Development Document for weapon qualification, platform integration, and fielding of the XM30 Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle (MICV) primary weapon system (XM913). This effort includes the development of three capabilities: The XM1202 Target Practice with Trace (TP-T); the XM1203 Armor Piercing Fin Stabilized Discarding Sabot with Trace (APFSDS-T); and the XM1204 High Explosive Airburst with Trace (HEAB-T). The training cartridge will allow the Warfighter to train in a cost-effective manner and the tactical cartridges will provide enhanced lethality at increased ranges when engaging personnel threats in the open, defilade, and under the cover of urban structures, Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGM) teams, and current and projected future peer armored materiel threats. This effort is operating under Middle Tier Acquisition authority for rapid prototyping to qualify the three munitions in order to support the NGCV Cross Functional Team (CFT) timeline for First Unit Equipped (FUE). Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 funding supports building test assets and conducting Developmental Test & Evaluation (DT&E) on the XM1204 HEAB-T variant. Project CE3, Precision Munition (Sniper): The Precision Munition (Sniper) project is a critical technology development in response to the Precision Munition Capabilities Development Documents (CDD) for the ammunition required to support the Precision Sniper Rifle (PSR) / sniper weapons systems. The objective is to transfer the latest lethality technology into the suite of ammunition used by snipers. The Precision Munition improvement is split into three capability areas: Anti-Materiel (AM), Improved Performance Round (IPR), and Subsonic. The AM and IPR capabilities will enhance lethal effects at greater distances. The Subsonic capability will increase soldier survivability at close range by providing a low-sound signature munition that is undetectable to the enemy. Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 funding will initiate Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) activities, develop prototypes, and support a Solider Touch Point (STP) / User Evaluation for the .338 AM Cartridges. Project DC9, 30mm MMPA M-SHORAD INC 3: The 30mm MMPA M-SHORAD INC 3 / Project DC9 funds the development of the 30mm XM1223 MMPA munition and respective weapon contact setter under the Middle Tier of Acquisition (MTA) authority for rapid prototyping. The objective is to enhance the operational effectiveness of the M-SHORAD Inc 3 platform, Mobile-Low, Slow, Small Unmanned Aircraft Integrated Defeat System (M-LIDS) and any other Joint Force platforms that are equipped with a 30mm weapon system and have a Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) mission. The programmable fuze modes in the munition include proximity airburst to defeat personnel in the open and small Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) targets, proximity airburst delay to defeat personnel in defilade, gated proximity airburst to minimize collateral damage in cluttered environments, mechanical point detonate to defeat light materiel targets, and self-destruct to minimize collateral damage. The XM1223 will allow the platforms to conduct counter-UAS missions while retaining the ability to quickly transition to ground targets without having to swap ammunition. FY 2025 funding supports continuing the XM1223 development, building prototypes for Design Engineering Testing (DET), and conducting DET. The total cost of the 30 millimeter (mm) MMPA Middle Tier of Acquisition effort is $59.969 million RDT&E from FY2024 to FY2027. Project EC4, Non-Standard Simulator Munitions 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 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); Mini Blast 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) simulators to replicate the flight of a Rocket Propelled Grenade; Macro Pyro to simulate hostile fire, booby trap and IED Simulations indoor and outdoors; High Order Blast Effect (HiOBE) used to replicate a Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED), building explosions, and other significant explosive events; Artillery airburst simulator to replicate indirect fire; Antitank Guided Missile and Rocket (AGMR) simulator to replicate surface to air missile or shoulder launched rocket; Tracer Fire-back simulator to replicate enemy small arms fire and anti-aircraft fire; and Longer burning remotely and electrically initiated smoke pots and smoke grenades of various colors. Standardization will reduce training costs, eliminate redundancies between systems and mitigate environmental concerns and safety risks associated with realistic scenario-based training. Project EL9, Ammunition Logistics Prototyping: This 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 are 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 2025 funding will be focused on integrating Commercial Off-the-shelf (COTS) and/or relatively mature technologies into ammunition resupply enablers, developing interfaces with Programs/Systems of Records as required by the Contested Logistics, Long Range Precision Fires (LRPF), Next-Generation Combat Vehicles (NGCV), Future Vertical Lift (FVL), Network, and Soldier Lethality (SL) Cross Functional Teams (CFT). They will be focused on ensuring that a low-risk resupply process solution exists to support the success of the Maneuver Force. Project EP2, Shoulder-Launched Munitions: The XM919 Individual Assault Munitions (IAM) effort will combine the capabilities of the existing M141 Bunker Defeat Munition (BDM) and the M136 Anti-Tank 4 Confined Space - Reduced Sensitivity (AT4CS RS), eliminating the mission risk associated with having to choose between two different capability Shoulder-Launched Munitions (SLMs), reducing the logistics and training burdens associated with multiple systems. IAM consists of the tactical XM919 IAM munition and training devices including the XM922 sub-caliber trainer (SCT), sub-caliber tracer ammunition (SCT Ammo), Field Handling Trainer (FHT), Synthetic Training Environment Live Training System (STE LTS) and Soldier Virtual Trainers (SVT). JPEO A&A is collaborating with PEO STRI to plan for STE LTS and SVT integration within PEO STRI platforms under the SS PEG. The tactical XM919 IAM supports the close fight in urban and complex terrain, allowing Soldiers a fire-from-enclosure (FFE) capability to defeat field expedient structures such as earth and timber bunkers, reinforced concrete, adobe and triple brick walls with behind the wall lethality effects as well as defeating light armored vehicles. The IAM training devices provide training capability to increase the Soldier's proficiency and integration of the XM919 tactical system into combat operations. The XM919 IAM enables the Army's Soldier Lethality Modernization Line of Effort (LOE) by providing multi-target capability and reducing training & logistics burden associated with two systems, while providing tactical innovation capable of extending overmatch against peer/near-peer adversaries in a joint, multi-domain, high-intensity conflict. Project EP3, Reduced Range Ammunition - Small Caliber: The small caliber Reduced Range Ammunition (RRA) Project is a critical technology development in response to the 7.62 millimeter (mm) and .50 caliber Capabilities Development Documents (CDD). The overall objective of RRA 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. RRA 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 RRA 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. Project EP4, One-Way Luminescence for Small Caliber Ammo: The One-Way Luminescence (OWL) project is a critical technology development in response to the 7.62 millimeter (mm) 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 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, and increasing lethality by incorporating Enhanced Performance Round (EPR) technology into the new tracer ammunition. This is no FY 2025 request as program transitions from development to production. Project EP7, Aviation Airborne Expendable Countermeasures (AAECM) will support Integrated System Design (ISD), System Capability (SC) and Manufacturing Process Demonstrations (MPD) on expendable countermeasure flares and decoys to include the XM215 Infrared (IR) countermeasure Flare and XM20 Radio Frequency (RF) expendables. These expendable countermeasures systems are an essential part of survivability equipment for Army aircraft. Army Research Development Technology & Evaluation (RDT&E) efforts are coordinated with Program Executive Office (PEO) Aviation to address the AAECM capability, a critical enabler for enduring aircraft and the Future Vertical Lift (FVL) - Aircraft Survivability Equipment (ASE) Cross Functional Team (CFT) within Army's Top modernization priorities. These advanced decoys will address deficiencies in Army aircraft protection and the safety of its aircrews against advanced Man-Portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADS) and Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAM) systems. The project will also support ISD, SC and MPD on new expendable countermeasure munitions that will protect Army aircraft from advanced and proliferated current guided missile threats. Activities include modeling and simulation, flight testing, qualification testing, 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 RF expendables). Project EU4, 40 millimeter (mm) High Velocity (HV) High Explosive Dual Purpose - Air burst (HEDP-AB): The 40 millimeter High Velocity HEDP-AB is a new capability identified as a Warfighter counter-defilade requirement 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. XM1176 HEDP-AB cartridges are manufactured by de-fuzing legacy M430A1 cartridges and installing a new airburst capable fuze onto the M430A1 warhead. In FY 2025 funding will support Live Fire Test and Evaluation (LFT&E) efforts. Project EU6, The 155 millimeter (mm) High Explosive (HE) Rocket Assisted Projectile (RAP) supports the Army's Cannon Modernization Strategy which includes Paladin Integrated Management (PIM) Armament Upgrade, Next Generation Cannon, Extended Range Cannon Artillery (ERCA), and all utilized cannons that are 52-calibers or longer. The Project is executing an evolutionary approach leveraging current rocket assisted munitions hardware to meet the extended range and precision objectives. The High Explosive (HE) Rocket Assisted Projectile (RAP) will first deliver a near term solution to increase range from 30km to 40km in current 39 caliber systems. The Next Generation Rocket Assisted Projectile (NGRAP) will continue development of the High Explosive (HE) Rocket Assisted Projectile (RAP) with focus on improved accuracy, lethality, and ranges up to 70km and greater utilizing 52 and 58 caliber weapons. FY 2025 funding supports the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) activities to build, test, and evaluate a solution that meets the requirements specified in the Next Generation Rocket Assisted Projectile (NGRAP) Capabilities Development Document (CDD). Project EW1, 40 millimeter (mm) Low Velocity High Explosive Air Burst (LV-HEAB): The 40 millimeter LV-HEAB is a new capability identified as a Warfighter counter-defilade requirement in the Capability Development Document (CDD), 40mm Low Velocity (LV) Family of Ammunition Annex. The 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 resulting in increased soldier survivability. Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 funding will be used to support a Soldier Touch Point (STP) for the XM1166 HEAB. Project FA6, 30mm Lethality: The 30 millimeter (mm) Lethality project funds the development of a suite of 30x173mm caliber cartridges, which includes a XM1182 High Explosive Airburst with Trace (HEAB-T) cartridge for increased anti-personnel effects, XM1170 Armor Piercing Fin Stabilized Discarding Sabot with Trace (APFSDS-T) cartridge for anti-materiel, and ballistically matched training cartridges; XM1173 Target Practice with Trace (TP-T) cartridge and XM1172 Target Practice Discarding Sabot with Trace (TPDS-T) cartridge. 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 APFSDS-T cartridge will provide an organic direct fire capability to support infantry at a greater range and will improve lethality when engaging light-to-medium armored vehicles. The HEAB-T cartridge will provide the Warfighter with increased lethality against troops in the open, counter defilade, Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) teams, and troops behind urban structures. The training cartridges will be ballistically matched to the tactical cartridges, allowing the Warfighter to train in a cost-effective manner. This project is a follow-on of the earlier efforts in support of the United States Army Europe (USAREUR) Operational Needs Statement (ONS) #15-20590 Stryker Increased Lethality for the 2nd Cavalry Regiment (2CR). There is no FY 2025 request as the program transitions to production. Project FJ4, Cannon-Delivered Area Effects Munitions (C-DAEM): The Cannon-Delivered Area Effects Munitions (C-DAEM) Project will provide United States (U.S.) ground forces with the capability to engage area personnel through armored targets, while denying threat forces full operational freedom within the targeted area. An Analysis of Alternatives (AoA) was completed in January 2018 to inform Army acquisition and investment decisions regarding replacement of the current stockpile of 155 millimeter (mm) Dual Purpose Improved Conventional Munitions (DPICM) with Department of Defense (DoD) policy compliant munitions and address anti-armor and extended range capability requirements. The Army validated two materiel solutions for C-DAEM to be pursued in parallel to support the Army's modernization priorities; C-DAEM Armor and C-DAEM DPICM Replacement. C-DAEM Armor will destroy moved and moving self-propelled howitzers, infantry fighting vehicles and tanks. C-DAEM DPICM Replacement will destroy personnel through soft-skinned targets. Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 funding will continue to support C-DAEM Armor development and testing activities as well as engineering efforts required to integrate the Military-Code (M-Code) Global Positioning System (GPS) Receiver into the selected C-DAEM Armor objective materiel solution(s). Project FL4, Small Caliber Ammo for Next Gen Squad Weapons: 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 the Middle Tier of Acquisition (MTA) authority for rapid prototyping/rapid fielding. The objective is to develop and Full Materiel Release (FMR) the new ammunition in parallel with the NGSW rifle and automatic rifle. The NGSW ammunition is split into multiple ammunition variants, the General Purpose (GP), the Special Purpose (SP), the Reduced Range Ammunition (RRA), Tracer Ammunition, Blank Ammunition, the Close Combat Mission Capability Kit (CCMCK) training ammunition, Drill Dummy Inert (DDI) cartridge, and High-Pressure Test (HPT) cartridge. Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 funding supports design optimization efforts for the SP, RRA, Blank, DDI, and HPT variants. FY 2025 funds also support Live-Fire Testing and Evaluation (LFT&E) activities on the GP, SP, and Tracer variants. FY 2025 funds support developmental testing on the CCMCK, Blank, DDI, and HPT variants. FY 2025 funds support Materiel Release efforts on the GP, SP, and variants. And, FY 2025 supports continuing the refinement, development, and maturation of the CCMCK, Blank, DDI, and HPT cartridges. Project MS1, Battalion Mortar System Modernization: The Battalion Mortar System Modernization Project supports the development and demonstration of modernized Mortar Weapon Systems to support Infantry Brigade Combat Teams (IBCTs) and Armored Brigade Combat Teams (ABCTs). Efforts include development and qualification of said modernized systems and their required components that will increase lethality, survivability, mobility and readiness. FY 2025 funding will enable design and development effort for the weapon and mobility system for next generation 81mm and 120mm mortar weapon systems. The weapon and mobility systems will be qualified and integrated directly onto light tactical vehicles such as the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV), the Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) and/or Joint Lightweight Tactical Vehicle (JLTV). The mobility system will address obsolescence by eliminating the need for a trailer mounted Mortar Stowage Kit (MSK). The modernized system will increase survivability, maneuverability, and provide a tactical advantage to the Warfighter when matched with pacing threat for direct and indirect fire and will provide overmatching capabilities. Project S36, The Precision Guidance Kit (PGK): The Precision Guidance Kit (PGK) Project supports development efforts that will qualify state of the art technologies for a course correcting fuze that provides precision accuracy at extended ranges for current and future 155-millimeter (mm) 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. The precision course correcting fuze will support projectile operation in Global Positioning System (GPS) degraded environments in support of the Army's Cannon Modernization Strategy. All 39-caliber weapon systems and modernized Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH) weapon systems with cannon lengths greater than or equal to 52-caliber and new long-range projectiles require the precision course correcting fuze to meet lethality requirements. FY 2025 funding will continue to support the fabrication of precision course correcting fuze hardware, safety and development testing, and further refines the Artillery fuze design.

Document Details

• Document Type: R2 Budgetary Justification
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2025
• Source ID: 0604802A_5_2040_PB_2025
• Change Summary Explanation: BQ3: $27.424M increase required for propulsion development work to support the Army's expanded Cannon Modernization Strategy. BY1: $0.147M decrease for XM1202 and XM1203 reaching Milestone C and transitioning to Low-Rate Initial Production. CE3 $6.513M and EC4 $2.048M increases support required Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) activities. EL9: $0.002 increase for integrating Commercial Off-the-shelf (COTS) and/or relatively mature technologies into ammunition resupply enablers. EP7: $2.700M increase due to qualification testing on UH60 platform and pattern development on AH64 and CH47 platforms and $0.068M decrease due to qualification testing on UH60 platform and pattern development on AH64 and CH47 platforms. EU4: $1.503M increase for live fire testing requirement. EU6: $0.031 increase for engineering and manufacturing development. EW1: $0.003M decrease accounts for 40MM Low Velocity Ammunition execution of Soldier Touch Point (STP). FJ4: $24.281M increase in testing costs for C-DAEM Armor. FL4: $0.024M increase for live fire testing and evaluation efforts. S36: $30.555M increase in contract costs associated with precision course correcting fuze development efforts. 613: $1.000 increase reflects contract costs requirements associated with the completion of this effort. MS1: $6.012M increase for initiation of Mortar Stowage Kit Modernization activities.
• Service Agency Name: Army

Entities

Organizations

• United States Army

Tags

Readers

• Munitions and Ordnance Engineering

Technology Areas

• Autonomy
• Autonomy - UAVs
• Space