The destroyer USS Delbert D. Black fires a Tomahawk Land Attack Missile in support of Operation Epic Fury, Feb. 28, 2026. (U.S. Navy)
The Department of Defense is pushing industry to ramp up production on 14 “critical” weapons — ranging from Patriot anti-missile interceptors to new low-cost cruise missiles, according to an internal memo.
The list includes radar-guided air-to-air AMRAAM missiles, air-dropped ship-killer LRASM missiles and two variants of Tomahawk cruise missiles.
The priority list was issued last week by the Munitions Acceleration Council (MAC), the Pentagon panel of senior leaders created in 2025 to prioritize weapons procurement and incorporate long-term defense industry commitments to cost and quality control.
Most of the weapons have been used in Operation Epic Fury, the U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran. The need to replenish the thousands of missiles, bombs and other munitions used in the campaign is explicitly part of the reason for the list.
“These investments are vital to ensuring the department’s ability to meet immediate and long-term munitions demands; replenish depleted stockpiles; support the operational needs of U.S. forces, allies and partners; reestablish deterrence; and meet long-term demand,” according to one budget document.
The “critical” list includes a dozen “legacy” munitions and two “emerging” munitions to be fast-tracked to troops.
The Pentagon will offer multiyear procurement deals that could stretch as long as seven years, according to the MAC document released by the Pentagon.
An F-16C Fighting Falcon assigned to the 85th Test Evaluation Squadron shoots an AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) missile over a test range near Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., in March 2019. (Joshua Hoskins/U.S. Air Force)
In exchange for the longer-term commitment that the Pentagon says will ensure less volatility in production rates on weapons programs, contractors will have to agree to stricter timelines and cover unexpected costs if production targets aren’t met.
“We’re making them put skin in the game, and we expect them to meet the ramp rates that they agree to,” said acting Pentagon comptroller Jay Hurst during a news briefing on April 21.
The more-than $47 billion in spending includes $19.5 billion for “procurement disconnects” — making up for incremental costs in current spending. The totals released for each purchase don’t add up because of rounding, the MAC said.
The two “emerging” priorities are for a Low Cost Hypersonic Strike Weapon and increased production of the long-range Precision Strike Missile Increment 1.
“The inclusion of two emerging capabilities reflects the department’s commitment to innovation and modernization,“ the MAC document said.
The memo lists $326 million for the development and procurement of the low-cost hypersonic strike weapon; $156 million for the Navy to procure 353 missiles, and $130 million for the Pentagon to test and develop the Blackbeard-Ground Launch low-cost hypersonic strike missile.
Another $40 million would go toward the Army development of the Blackbeard and to gauge its capabilities in comparison to the PrSM deep strike missile.
The Marines would be allocated $15 million to procure 10 PrSM deep-strike missiles.
The “legacy weapons” in the MAC memo include munitions extensively used in the U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran and defending against counterattacks aimed at U.S. and allied forces.
“The focus on 12 legacy munitions ensures continued support for proven systems that are essential to current and future operations, such as precision-guided missiles, air and missile defense, and air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions,” the document said.
They include:
Patriot Advanced Capability-3 anti-missile system: $7 billion, with $6.1 billion for the Army to procure 1,429 PAC-3s, and $874 million for the Navy to procure 207. The Navy recently said it wants to use the Patriot system on its ships that have the AEGIS air defense system.
Terminal High Altitude Air Defense (THAAD): $4.8 billion for the Army to procure of 373 THAAD interceptors “required to replenish interceptors expended in the last year” and “provides the required inventory for national defense.”
Standard Missile-3 11A: $2.4 billion for the Missile Defense Agency to procure up to 78 of the high-altitude interceptor missiles.
Standard Missile-6: $2.2 billion that includes $1.9 billion for the Navy to procure 224 missiles, and $330 million for the Army to procure 56 missiles.
Tomahawk Land Attack Missile: $1.8 billion for Navy to acquire 685 new Block V Vertical Launch System Tomahawk cruise missiles.
Joint Advanced Tactical Missile: $1.7 billion, including $990 million for the Air Force and $676 million for Navy. The number of missiles is classified information, the Pentagon said.
Low-cost cruise missile development and procurement: $1.6 billion that includes $1.3 billion for 2,000 units to be integrated into existing and planned launchers. Another $300 million is for the Air Force to procure up to 1,000 units of the Family of Affordable Mass Missiles production. The Air Force would also receive $51 million to complete development of Family of Affordable Mass Missiles-Air Launcher.
Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile procurement: $1.6 billion that includes $952 million for the Air Force to procure 618 AMRAAMs, and $637 million for Navy to procure 388 of the missiles.
Maritime Strike Tomahawk: $1.1 billion, including $778 million for the Army to procure 110 missiles, and $298 million for Navy to procure 100 missiles and components.
Maximized JASSM-ER: $1 billion for the Air Force to procure 330 missiles to complete the JASSM annual maximum purchase of 860 missiles and components.
Standard Missile-3 IB: $896 million for the Missile Defense Agency to procure up to 52 SM-3 Block IB missiles and components.
Long Range Anti-Ship Missile procurement: $473 million, including $236 million for the Air Force to procure 45 missiles to complete the annual maximum buy of 318 missiles; and $236 million for the Navy to procure 48 C-3 variants.
By highlighting a limited menu of highest priorities, the Pentagon is hoping to increase its stockpiles and rebuild depleted inventories.
“This ensures the U.S. maintains a credible deterrence posture by increasing munitions availability and readiness while supporting sustained operations for U.S. forces, allied nations, and partner countries in the face of evolving global threats,” the memo says.
