The U.S. Army's Most Expensive Weapons Programs in 2026

"Tracing its roots back to 1775, over a year before the Declaration of Independence was signed, the U.S. Army is the oldest American military service branch. With more than 356,500 enlisted service men and women and nearly 92,800 officers, the Army is also the largest military branch in the United States, accounting for 35% of all active-duty troops, according to the Defense Department's 2023 Demographics Profile report."

"The Defense Department's budget for fiscal 2026 is the largest in American military history, and recently released details show that over $384 billion will go toward weapons development and procurement alone. Of that funding, the U.S. Army is set to receive a reported $43.8 billion, much of which will go toward a handful of projects costing hundreds of millions or even billions of dollars."

"Like the U.S. Air Force, Marine Corps, and Navy, the Army serves a specific and critical military purpose. Largely through ground-based operations, the Army is responsible for defending American soil, as well as capturing and holding territory in expeditionary combat operations. As a result, the Army is equipped to conduct full-spectrum warfare both in and from occupied territory over a sustained period."

Founded in 1775, the U.S. Army is the oldest and largest American military branch, with more than 356,500 enlisted personnel and nearly 92,800 officers, comprising 35% of active-duty troops. The Defense Department's fiscal 2026 budget is the largest in American military history, allocating over $384 billion to weapons development and procurement. The Army is slated to receive $43.8 billion for research, development, and procurement, funding major projects costing hundreds of millions to billions. The Army conducts ground-based full-spectrum warfare, defending U.S. soil and capturing and holding territory during expeditionary operations. Army weapons funding lags behind the Air Force and Navy.

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