PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Senior leaders from Picatinny Arsenal and defense industry executives convened this week at the National Defense Industrial Association’s 2025 Munitions Executive Summit, highlighting ambitious efforts to modernize and expand America’s ammunition industrial base amid rising global tensions.
Maj. Gen. John T. Reim, Commanding General of Picatinny Arsenal and Joint Program Executive Officer for Armaments and Ammunition, delivered a keynote address emphasizing the necessity of sustained investment, resilient supply chains, and comprehensive modernization to ensure America’s military readiness in the face of future conflicts.
His remarks came as geopolitical instability grows, notably with ongoing conflicts in Eastern Europe and escalating tensions in the Indo-Pacific region.
“We must be ready to fight at scale from day one,” Reim said. “Our ability to deter and, if necessary, win future conflicts depends on the strength and reliability of our industrial base.”
Reim outlined significant investments designed to rejuvenate U.S. munitions production capabilities, citing new manufacturing facilities established in Canada, Arkansas, Illinois, and Florida. These initiatives, he said, symbolize a renewed commitment to rebuilding a defense sector that has experienced decades of decline.
His address also emphasized the critical link between steady investment in America’s defense industrial base and national security and economic prosperity.
“Our warfighters rely on you, and so does the nation at large. It is crucial that we communicate to policymakers and the public that investing in the defense industrial base is not a luxury - investing in the defense industrial base means investing in American workers, supporting small businesses, and fostering innovation, which in turn strengthens our military and our economy,” he said.
Reim also stressed the vital role of industry partners, emphasizing the necessity for accountability, efficiency, and punctual execution from the private sector to match unprecedented Army investments.
“Overpromising and underdelivering is no longer an option,” Reim stated. “Missed deadlines, cost overruns, and inefficiencies in contracting translate into munitions not reaching the front lines when they are most needed. When our warfighters are depending on you—when readiness hinges on your ability to produce at scale and on time—we do not have the luxury of excuses.”
Reim also co-led a panel discussion with Chris Grassano, Director, U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Armaments Center, and Thomas Dougherty, Executive Director, Army Contracting Command-New Jersey (ACC-NJ).
Grassano showcased several technologies and how technology transfer partnerships with industry can lead to reduced costs, increased functionality, and accelerated fielding of armaments.
Cost reduction activities include development of alternate sources through Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADA), but also through programs that connect Soldiers with the nation’s brightest academics.
"Programs like DEVCOM's Catalyst-Pathfinder are empowering our units to innovate, experiment, and create rapidly, ensuring we remain Ready Now and Ready for Tomorrow," Grassano said.
Catalyst-Pathfinder engages Soldiers earlier in the research and development process to make them aware of emerging research and technologies that academia can provide to help meet their needs.
The Armaments Center director also underscored the importance of investing within the defense industrial base to provide the Warfighter with ample resources for current conflicts and develop technological advancements for the future fight.
"What we’ve learned from Eastern Europe underscores the importance of adaptability, leveraging commercial technologies, and maintaining interoperability to strengthen our forces," Grassano said.
Theresa Smith, Deputy Joint Program Executive Officer for Armaments and Ammunition, moderated a discussion focused on rapid acquisition processes, the critical importance of securing essential materials, and strategies for strengthening domestic supply chains.
Smith likened the ammunition enterprise to a vibrant ecosystem where military might, industrial innovation, and academia forge the tools of defense and become the instruments of peace.
“Our ammunition enterprise ensures readiness not just for the battles of today, but for tomorrow’s future challenges,” she said.
Smith’s Acquisition Panel provided industry attendees direct access to acquisition leadership, offering insights into procurement priorities and opportunities for collaborative dialogue.
Reim concluded his remarks with a compelling reminder of the stakes: “If we choose to prioritize generational investments—to provide stable funding, to encourage innovation, to develop skills—then we equip America to face the future with confidence. We ensure that deterrence holds, that our forces never enter a fair fight, and that our nation remains free, secure, and prosperous.”
Picatinny Arsenal, located in Morris County, New Jersey, is home to the Joint Program Executive Office for Armaments & Ammunition, U.S. Army Combat Capabilities 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.
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