Picatinny Arsenal hosts House Armed Services Committee Staffers

PICATINNY ARSENAL, N.J. – Congressional professional staff members (PSMs) from the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) visited Picatinny Arsenal on April 24 for a full-day briefing on the Army’s armaments and ammunition enterprise as well as the installation’s mission.

Hosted by the Joint Program Executive Office for Armaments and Ammunition (JPEO A&A) and the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Armaments Center, the visit offered a detailed look at modernization initiatives, research and development efforts, and support to the Joint Warfighter and international partners.

Led by Brooke Alred, professional staff member for the HASC Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee, the delegation received in-depth briefings from senior leadership including Theresa Smith Ph.D., Deputy Joint Program Executive Officer for Armaments and Ammunition, and Chris Grassano, Director of the Armaments Center.

Staff members from both the majority and minority sides of the HASC TAL subcommittee participated including PSMs Carole Kehrli, and Jay Vallario.

“We valued the opportunity to host Brooke, Caroline, and Jay at Picatinny Arsenal,” said Smith. “Their visit fostered insightful discussions regarding our shared commitment to supporting the Joint Warfighter. We appreciate their engagement and look forward to continued collaboration with the subcommittee as the JPEO A&A delivers safe, reliable, and lethal armaments and ammunition to both the Joint Force and our international partners.”

The visit included a tour of several key facilities, notably the recently opened Explosive Ordnance Disposal Disassembly and Robotics Complex—the first of its kind in the U.S. Army. The complex enables the Armaments Center with safe disassembly and technical assessment of foreign munitions while supporting the development of robotics solutions for future battlefield applications.

Throughout the visit, PSMs engaged directly with leaders and engineers across JPEO A&A’s four project offices, gaining firsthand insight into how the Army is modernizing its armaments and ammunition portfolio to provide overmatch and strengthen deterrence.

During their engagements, the PSMs were briefed on recent infrastructure investments, including new 155 mm production lines, expanded LAP (Load, Assemble, Pack) capacity, and advancements in energetics and propellant manufacturing.

The visit also served as a platform to discuss the role Picatinny Arsenal plays in its local community and across New Jersey. As one of Morris County’s largest employers, the Arsenal contributes significantly to the regional economy while fostering strong relationships with local governments, academic institutions, and industry. Grassano highlighted ongoing workforce development initiatives, STEM education partnerships, and community outreach programs that reinforce the installation’s commitment to both national defense and public service.

“Picatinny has deep roots in New Jersey and continues to serve as both an economic engine and as the Department of Defense’s Joint Center of Excellence for Guns and Ammunition,” said Grassano. “These partnerships not only support the Arsenal’s mission but also create high-skilled career pathways for students across the state.”

Picatinny Arsenal, located in Morris County, New Jersey, is home to the Joint Program Executive Office for Armaments & Ammunition, U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center, Army Contracting Command- New Jersey, and the Defense Contract Management Agency. Collectively, these organizations lead the research, development, procurement, and lifecycle management of advanced armaments and ammunition, ensuring joint warfighters remain equipped with overmatching capabilities. Picatinny Arsenal is the third largest employer in Morris County whose capabilities are unique and vital to the nation, as the workforce leads the advancement of armament technologies and engineering innovation for the U.S. military.