Bunker Research: What to Unlock First
The research queue order that pays for itself, and the projects to skip entirely.
Time
8 min
Payout
51 projects
Difficulty
Intermediate
Research time
Faster with Equipment + Staff upgrades
Staff
Set to Research only while unlocking
Popular first
Explosive rounds, Mk II mods
Step by step
- 1Pick the research you will actually use, not every unlock.
- 2Temporarily switch staff to Research, then back to Manufacturing.
- 3Buy research supplies instead of waiting.
Common mistakes
- Leaving staff on research forever — it earns no money.
Section 01
The brief
Bunker research is a long queue with a few items that matter and many that do not. The order you chase them decides when the bunker starts paying back.
- Research splits staff and halves production while it runs
- Completed research is permanent on your account
- Weapon and vehicle unlocks are the reason to do it at all
Section 02
Recommended route
Fast-track only the unlocks that change missions or sales — explosive rounds, the top vehicle mods — and let the cosmetic projects wait for idle weeks.
- Run research in a dedicated block rather than permanently
- Skip research entirely if you only want money
- Return staff to manufacturing the moment research finishes
Section 03
What good looks like
The queue finishes in the background while the bunker keeps producing, instead of stalling your cash flow for months.
- Useful unlocks earned without permanently damaging income
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Last verified: Sep 27, 2026. Figures are editorial summaries; in-game menus remain the final authority.