House Armed Services Committee Adopts NDAA Amendment Relating to UHMWPE Fiber

Amendment to H.R. 8800, Offered by: Mr. Harrigan (N.C., 10th, Republican)

Passed on voice vote.

"In the appropriate place in the report to accompany H.R. 8800, insert the following new Directive Report Language:

"Expansion of Domestic Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene Production Capacity

"The committee remains concerned about documented capacity shortfalls in the domestic ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber industrial base. There are concerns that domestic UHMWPE production may be insufficient to meet national security requirements under surge conditions. There is also the possibility that facility utilization may exceed 100 percent as early as fiscal year 2026. Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not later than March 1, 2027, on the Department’s strategy to address UHMWPE fiber capacity shortfalls. The briefing shall include the following:

"1. an assessment of current and projected UHMWPE fiber requirements across all services for soft armor vests, hard armor plates, ballistic helmets, and vehicle protection systems through fiscal year 2030;

"2. an evaluation of domestic manufacturing capacity gaps and the Department’s plan to achieve capacity sufficient to meet 100 percent of requirements plus 30 percent surge capacity;

"3. the advisability of designating UHMWPE fiber as a critical material under Defense Production Act Title I authorities;

"4. the status of Berry Amendment compliance among domestic UHMWPE suppliers and the availability of PFAS-free armor solutions; and

"5. any legislative authorities required to achieve capacity targets or address industrial base vulnerabilities."