Weapons (Formerly Munitions) –
The munitions industry is one of the oldest known to the U.S. defense industrial base. Since 1775 and the founding of the first Continental Army Depot Arsenal in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, the art and science of crafting our nation's munitions has remained a cornerstone in our greater defense schema. World Wars I and II ushered in historical surges in industrial capacity to meet the demands of multiple theaters, peaking at over 80 production sites at the height of the conflicts and beyond into the Korean and Vietnam eras. Today, a mere 16 sites comprise the government's munitions industrial base (MIB). The current footprint answered our
nation's call over the last 20-years of conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan, ensuring the readiness and lethality of the joint warfighter. However, as these operations reach their conclusions, we must consider the context of two competing paradigms. First, what is the "right size" for the greater munitions industrial complex to sustain steady-state productions in peacetime while maintaining surge capacity? Second, how do we effectively shape the future of this MIB to meet the demands of both state and non-state actors, particularly within the context of a Great Power Competition/peer adversaries, such as China and Russia?
The following work represents the capstone of a joint service collective of professional officers and dedicated government civilians, providing an analysis of the U.S. MIB. Through critical analysis of the greater strategic landscape, we propose policy recommendations to meet both current and future demands by both the U.S. and allies/partner nations. Limitations to this experience include both time and those related to the current COVID-19 pandemic. The forthcoming commentary is rooted in the students' experience/observations/analysis. It does not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the National Defense University or the Department of Defense.
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