The US army weapons and munitions technology development is set to enjoy a bigger budget in the 2019 fiscal year after a big cash injection. Research, development, technology and evaluation (RDT&E) dollars for weapons and munitions technology will see a $343 million boost in the appropriations bill.
The Army had requested just $40.44 million in RDT&E funding to improve weapons and munitions, but lawmakers are providing a total $383.44 million. Additionally, the bill adds $139.68 million to the Army’s RDT&E budget for weapons and munitions advanced technology. The Army requested just $102 million in Fiscal Year 2019.
A large portion of the allocated funding is targeted at the Army’s top modernization priority — Long Range Precision Fires. The US army has also formed cross-functional teams to address at least six modernization priorities to robust the military into an advantageous position to compete with adversary armies like Russia and China. One of the most targeted areas is the surface to surface fires to increase the range for both current and futuristic long-range fires out in the war fronts.
The additional budget has further been broken down to include revamps in such areas as high-energy lasers for weapons systems, extended range artillery, long-range hybrid projectile, 120mm cannon-fired guided missile, medium-caliber, lightweight composite barrel development, advanced warhead technology and develop weapons effectiveness in urban engagements.
