Munitions Archives

DOD expanding effort to boost its domestic supply of chemicals for munitions

The Pentagon extended a contract with the American Center for Manufacturing Innovation.

Feb 8, 2024 By Brandi Vincent

Airmen from the 379th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron munitions flight load an AIM-120D Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile onto an F-15E Strike Eagle during an integrated combat turn training event at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, March 3, 2021. The AIM-120D AMRAAM has been used in service since 1991, and can reach a maximum speed of Mach 4. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Greg Erwin)

More drones, more problems? The Air Force needs additional missiles for collaborative combat aircraft

SASC Chairman Sen. Jack Reed said fielding these types of uncrewed systems "would compound our missile problem."

May 3, 2023 By Jon Harper

Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment William LaPlante holds a press brief at the Pentagon, May 6, 2022. (DoD Photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class James K. Lee)

Pentagon acquisition chief sees ‘lots of different options’ for procuring kamikaze drones

The DOD's top weapons buyer doesn't see supply chain issues or industrial base shortfalls when it comes to loitering munitions.

Oct 3, 2022 By Jon Harper

William LaPlante speaks during a fireside chat at DefenseTalks 2022. (DefenseScoop)

Pentagon aiming to buy hypersonic missiles for $5M-10M per round

The DOD has already spent billions of dollars on research, development, test and evaluation for these types of systems, and officials hope to transition them into production…

Sep 15, 2022 By Jon Harper

A U.S. soldier of 4th Battalion, 319th Field Artillery Regiment, 173rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), communicates over the radio during Saber Junction 18 at the U.S. Army’s Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany, Sept. 23 , 2018. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Dhy’Nysha Shaw)

Ukraine-Russia war teaching US military a lesson about secure communications

The ongoing conflict demonstrates the need for secure battlefield communication and the potential for soldiers to undermine it.

May 31, 2022 By Jon Harper

Army inks unique R&D agreement with consortium on advanced weapons development

The head of the National Armaments Consortium talked to FedScoop about a new "master CRADA" with Army Futures Command.

May 20, 2022 By Brandi Vincent

WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 28: U.S. President Joe Biden gestures as he gives remarks on providing additional support to Ukraine’s war efforts against Russia from the Roosevelt Room of the White House on April 28, 2022 in Washington, DC. Alongside a new supplemental aid request to the U.S. Congress, President Biden proposed turning assets from Russian oligarchs seized through sanctions into funding to rebuild Ukraine. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

White House wants $550M for new critical munitions acquisition fund

The initiative is part of a broader request for $33 billion in supplemental funding for Ukraine.

Apr 28, 2022 By Jon Harper

A U.S. Marine launches a Switchblade 300 10C system during a training exercise (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Alexis Moradian)

Army acquisition executive sees potential for greater investment in loitering munitions

Loitering munitions differ from the larger unmanned platforms that gained fame during the post-9/11 wars.

Mar 25, 2022 By Jon Harper

William A. LaPlante (U.S. Air Force photo/Scott M. Ash)

Nominee for Pentagon’s top acquisition post intends to prioritize munitions

The importance of advanced munitions has been highlighted in recent weeks during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Mar 22, 2022 By Jon Harper