DOD Insensitive Munitions Integrated Process Team

Abstract : Since the inception of the Insensitive Munitions (IM) program, the US Navy has sought a means to incentivize Program Managers and weapon developers to comply with the letter and spirit of IM criteria. For the Navy, platform survivability is tantamount, which is why developing and acquiring munitions that are insensitive and minimize unwanted collateral damage is crucial. Despite the progress within the Navy, the fact remained that the Navy was responsible for transporting weapons that belong to the other services, weapons that often did not meet the strict Navy IM criteria. These varying priorities placed on IM by the Services have long pointed to the need for a standardized approach to IM. In 1985 the Navy requested that the Joint Requirements Management Board consider a joint requirement for Insensitive Munitions. After consideration, the management board recommended a joint requirement and tasked the Joint Logistics Commanders/Joint Ordnance Commanders Group to develop and issue an IM directive and technical criteria. By 1987, a Joint Services IM Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) had been developed and signed by the Service Secretaries.