Army Munition Industrial Base Modernization

Summary

The meeting focused on the state of the U.S. munitions industrial base, challenges in production, and efforts to modernize capabilities to meet current and future threats[ 00:20:13-00:20:23 ] . Witnesses from the Department of Defense and the Army discussed strategies to enhance munitions stockpiles, improve technological advantages, and secure supply chains, while also addressing congressional concerns regarding implementation timelines and workforce impacts[ 00:55:11-00:55:13 ]

Revitalizing the Defense Industrial Base and Munitions Production

The U.S. munitions industrial base has been negatively impacted by years of inconsistent procurements and reduced production lines, leading to depleted inventories and insufficient capacity to meet increased demand. The Department of Defense is aggressively working to address these challenges and increase munitions stocks, with the war in Ukraine serving as a stark reminder of how modern conflicts can rapidly consume munitions beyond peacetime forecasts. Significant investments have been made, totaling $4.9 billion in the last two fiscal years, to build new production lines, modernize existing facilities, and enhance supply chain resiliency across the country. For instance, the production of 155mm artillery rounds has more than doubled since 2022, from 14,000 to 59,000 rounds per month, with a goal of reaching 100,000 rounds per month with new facility investments nearing completion. Consistent procurement and multi-year procurements are seen as critical to fostering market stability and allowing suppliers to right-size production capacity to meet demand. There is also a recognized need to improve the ability to inspect, test, maintain, and perform depot-level repairs of existing munitions.

Modernizing Energetics and Weapon Systems

Concerns were raised about the U.S. potentially falling behind adversaries, particularly China, in the development and integration of advanced energetic materials into weapon systems[ 00:35:52-00:36:08 ]

[ 00:36:19-00:36:25 ] [ 00:46:52 ] . CL20, an energetic material developed in the United States, offers significant opportunities to increase range and lethality, and improve safety and efficiency of munitions. Despite this, the U.S. has been slow to integrate CL20 into its weapon systems, while adversaries are reportedly using it as their metric[ 00:35:52-00:36:08 ] [ 00:46:52 ] . Congress mandated the establishment of a Joint Energetics Transition Office (JETO) in the FY24 NDAA to centralize and expedite the qualification, scale-up, and adoption of new energetic technologies[ 00:35:28-00:35:38 ] . However, the establishment of JETO has been delayed, drawing criticism from congressional members. It was emphasized that fully leveraging CL20 requires redesigning existing weapon systems to take advantage of its greater capability, such as achieving the same performance with smaller warheads, enabling longer range[ 00:39:54 ] .

Supply Chain Security and Domestic Production

The Defense Production Act (DPA) Title III has been instrumental in securing supply chains and expanding domestic sources for critical munitions components[ 00:41:16-00:41:26 ]

. This includes over $370 million in funded projects to establish or expand domestic production of materials like antimony sulfide, essential for conventional munition production, which was previously adversary-sourced[ 00:44:24 ] . Efforts are also underway to onshore TNT production in the U.S., a capability that ceased in 1986, following reliance on European sources and disruptions caused by the war in Ukraine[ 01:04:58-01:05:16 ] . The Organic Industrial Base (OIB) has demonstrated its crucial role in military readiness and national security, particularly in its ability to surge operations and provide sustained support during crises like the conflict in Ukraine[ 00:33:35 ] [ 00:34:18-00:34:31 ] .

Workplace Safety and Workforce Concerns

Workplace safety in munitions production is a paramount concern due to the inherent dangers of handling explosives and munitions[ 00:20:57-00:20:59 ] . Safety is integrated into every aspect of operations, from protective equipment and procedures to the design of facilities, aiming to mitigate risks to workers and the public. Concerns were raised regarding potential workforce reductions, reportedly up to 57%, at the Joint Munitions Command (JMC) at Rock Island, and the potential loss of critical expertise needed to drive investments in the munitions industrial base[ 00:55:11-00:55:13 ]

Tone of the Meeting

The tone of the meeting was serious and underscored a sense of urgency regarding the state of the U.S. munitions industrial base and its strategic implications[ 00:20:23 ] [ 00:36:19-00:36:25 ]

. While witnesses expressed appreciation for congressional support and highlighted progress, there was notable congressional frustration and concern, particularly regarding delays in implementing mandated initiatives like the Joint Energetics Transition Office[ 00:48:37 ] [ 00:49:50 ] . The discussions reflected a strong emphasis on national security, ensuring the U.S. maintains a decisive advantage over adversaries, and the need for continued investment and proactive measures to modernize capabilities and secure supply chains.