Department of Defense (DoD) weapons systems and platforms rely on access to critical materials, but global supply chain instability and restrictions on key chemicals threaten our military’s ability to maintain and operate its most essential assets. SERDP and ESTCP are ensuring America’s warfighters have access to next-generation materials that strengthen and sustain these capabilities from production through decommissioning. Our investments strengthen DoD’s long-term chemical and material resilience, extending the service life of mission-critical weapons systems and platforms while cutting waste, reducing costs, and enhancing the safety and efficiency of military operations.
SERDP and ESTCP support the DoD's transition to PFAS-free firefighting foams by developing innovative formulations, testing commercial formulations against military specifications, evaluating the ecotoxicity of new formulations, and assessing cleaning methodologies for aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) trucks that previously contained PFAS-based formulations.
Corrosion costs the DoD billions of dollars annually and heavily impacts the availability of defense assets to carry out their missions. SERDP and ESTCP develop, demonstrate, and validate technologies that enable cost-effective maintenance and modernization of military platforms. The programs aim to increase longevity and reduce sustainment costs for DoD assets while minimizing the need for costly protective measures, such as extensive PPE and engineering controls.
Energetics and munitions are essential to national and global security, but their production depends on materials that face supply chain vulnerabilities, including regulatory restrictions, geopolitical risks, and resource scarcity. Mission-critical applications such as rockets, missiles, ammunition, and pyrotechnic devices require reliable performance under demanding conditions. SERDP and ESTCP are investing in the development and demonstration of alternative materials and synthesis processes to strengthen supply chain resilience and ensure continued access to essential components while maintaining critical performance criteria.
