Over the last twenty years, the level of international research collaboration on military energetic materials has increased significantly and has been reported in the literature. It is time to look at what has been done and to critically examine that benefits that it has produced. The range of programmes has covered the whole range of energetic materials and in addition to the study of ne,x materials and new forms of materials, it has covered modelling as well as standards and protocols. Programmes have ranged from pressed explosives to rocket propellants and from IM technology to environmental and life management. It can be argued that these programmes have provided the participating nations with materials as well as the understanding to better manage their behaviour and use. Without this range of activity significantly less Would have been achieved. This will be discussed in the light of a selection of published papers and reports.