The First Order Department of Military Research was a specific division of the First Order responsible for conducting military research and designing both weapons and armor for use by the First Order's forces. This department was the entity that developed First Order stormtrooper armor, which was designed with the Imperial stormtrooper armor as its model. Additionally, they were responsible for the creation of helmets utilized by First Order TIE Fighter Pilot, in addition to the riot shields employed by riot control stormtroopers. The BL-155 Laser ax, the D-93 Incinerator flamethrower, and the Superlaser siege cannon all number among the weapons originating from the First Order Department of Military Research. Beyond weaponry and protective gear, this department was also responsible for the creation of the IT-000 interrogator droid, which represents a new generation of interrogator droid that took inspiration from the old Imperial IT-O Interrogator and was utilized for torture.
The reference book Ultimate Star Wars, New Edition, published in 2019, was the first place where the First Order Department of Military Research was mentioned.