Comparison of the FY2020 and FY2021
Precision-Guided Munitions Procurement
Requests
March 25, 2020
Precision-guided munitions (PGMs) have become an important capability for the Department of Defense
(DOD). Recent operations, including counter-insurgency and counterterrorism missions, have
demonstrated a high demand for all types of PGMs, which DOD defines as a “guided weapon intended to
destroy a point target and minimize collateral damage.” Some analysts argue a high-intensity conflict
would require large stockpiles of such weapons, in addition to the demand from operations in the Middle
East. Then-Secretary of Defense James Mattis stated that PGMs are required to help rebuild readiness.
(For a detailed overview of PGM procurement trends, see CRS Report R45996, Precision-Guided
Munitions: Background and Issues for Congress, by John R. Hoehn.)
The Trump Administration has proposed significantly reducing funding for PGMs and associated
programs in its FY2021 budget request, compared to its FY2020 budget request. As part of its FY2021
budget proposal to Congress, DOD requested approximately $4.1 billion for 41,337 munitions across 15
programs. The Administration, in its FY2020 request, anticipated it would spend approximately $4.4
billion for 34,454 munitions in FY2021. This represents a $381 million, or 8.5%, decrease from expected
levels, however an increase of 6,800 weapons or a 20% increase in quantities. In particular, the FY2021
request reduces the number of long-range missiles while increasing the number of shorter-range guided
bombs. The FY2021 request also reduces weapons procurement for 2021 and shifts procurement into later
years of the future year defense program (FYDP).
Figure 1 depicts the changes in projected munitions quantities for FY2021 from the FY2020 request to
those requested in FY2021. The largest increases from programmed to requested forces can be attributed
to the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) procurement and Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile
(JASSM). DOD appears to have requested an additional 10,129 tail kits ($172 million) and 103 missiles
($88 million), respectively. These changes, however, are offset by decreases in Guided Multiple Launch
Rocket Systems (GMLRS), reducing procurement by $221 million or 2,867 rockets, and cuts in the Small
Diameter Bomb II (SDB II) of $96 million or 1,420 bombs. Figure 2 provides historical context for the
current request.
