Pentagon Invests $27.3M to Fortify Critical US Missile Supply Chain

CHANDLER, Ariz. – May 18, 2026 – The U.S. Department of Defense is injecting $27.3 million into a specialized Arizona-based manufacturer to ramp up production of a small but indispensable component, a move that highlights a growing urgency to mend critical fractures within America's defense industrial base.

The investment, channeled through the Defense Production Act (DPA) Title III, will enable Pacific Scientific Energetic Materials Company (PacSci EMC) to expand its capacity to build the universal Arm Fire Device (AFD). This component is a lynchpin for the safe and reliable operation of solid rocket motors (SRMs), the powerhouses behind a vast array of U.S. military systems, from tactical missiles to next-generation hypersonic weapons.

This targeted funding is more than a simple contract; it represents a strategic effort to address systemic vulnerabilities in the supply chain for munitions, which have been laid bare by industry consolidation and the high demand driven by global conflicts. By focusing on a single, crucial part, the DoD aims to strengthen the entire chain, from the factory floor in Chandler to the front lines.

The Arsenal’s Unseen Safety Switch

Solid rocket motors are the workhorses of modern military propulsion. Valued for their simplicity, reliability, and long-term stability, they provide the immediate thrust needed for systems like the Javelin anti-tank missile, the PAC-3 and THAAD air defense systems, and the Tomahawk cruise missile. However, the immense power packed into an SRM also presents a significant risk if not controlled with absolute precision.

This is where the Arm Fire Device becomes essential. Functioning as a highly sophisticated safety and ignition switch, the AFD is an electro-mechanical device that prevents the accidental firing of a rocket motor. Internally, a rotating mechanism keeps the detonator physically isolated from the rest of the explosive train while in its default “SAFE” position. Only when it receives a specific, intentional electrical command does it rotate into the “ARM” position, creating an unbroken path for the firing signal to ignite the motor. This design, compliant with the stringent MIL-STD-1901A safety standard, ensures the weapon is inert until the exact moment it is needed.

Without a reliable supply of these flight-proven devices, the production of countless missile systems could grind to a halt, creating a bottleneck that directly impacts military readiness and the ability to replenish stockpiles.

Mending a Fractured Supply Chain

The Pentagon’s investment in PacSci EMC is a direct response to deep-seated problems within the SRM industrial base. Over the last two decades, the sector has consolidated dramatically, shrinking from six major U.S. manufacturers to a duopoly dominated by L3Harris Technologies and Northrop Grumman. This lack of competition has been mirrored in the sub-tier supply network, which has withered from an estimated 5,000 suppliers to just 1,000, creating numerous single points of failure.

Key materials, such as the ammonium perchlorate oxidizer essential for solid propellant, come from a single domestic producer. This fragility means that a disruption at one facility—due to an accident, natural disaster, or economic issue—could have cascading effects across the entire defense ecosystem. The recent surge in demand for munitions to support allies and replenish U.S. stockpiles has stretched this brittle system to its limits, exposing long lead times and a lack of surge capacity.

To combat this, the DoD is leveraging the authorities of DPA Title III, a Korean War-era law designed to expand domestic productive capacity for national defense. Rather than just buying more products, Title III allows the government to directly invest in factories, tooling, and process modernization. The goal is to reduce risk for private companies, incentivize the onshoring of critical manufacturing, and build a more resilient and geographically dispersed industrial base less reliant on fragile or foreign-controlled supply chains.

A High-Tech Bet on Arizona Manufacturing

With nearly a century of experience in energetic materials, PacSci EMC represents the kind of specialized, high-tech manufacturer the DoD needs to cultivate. The company has a long history of supplying critical components for military aircraft, ships, and ordnance, and it has developed unique expertise in creating safer, more environmentally stable explosives. Innovations like DBX-1, a non-toxic replacement for lead azide, demonstrate a forward-looking approach to materials science that enhances both safety and performance.

This new funding will allow the company to modernize its manufacturing processes and scale up production to meet the high-volume demand for SRMs. While the investment directly benefits the Chandler facility, its impact is national in scope, strengthening a vital link in the defense supply chain.

“This investment supports our ability to scale production, meet growing demand, and continue advancing innovative and reliable energetic systems,” said Corey Christmann, President of PacSci EMC, in a statement. “More importantly, it reflects confidence in our people and the discipline they bring to their work.”

The infusion of capital is expected to bolster the local economy in Arizona, a growing hub for the defense and aerospace industries. By investing in advanced manufacturing capabilities, the project will support skilled jobs and reinforce the region's importance to national security.

Ultimately, the $27.3 million award is a tactical move in a much larger strategic game. It signifies a clear recognition within the Pentagon that the nation's military strength is inextricably linked to the health of its domestic industrial base. By investing in the production of a single, vital component, the DoD is taking a concrete step to ensure that the complex machinery of national defense remains robust, responsive, and ready for future challenges.