DTRA Basic Research Initiative
Abstract
The Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) safeguards America and its allies from Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) (chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and high-yield explosives) by providing capabilities to reduce, eliminate, counter the threat, and mitigate its effects. The Basic Research Initiative program provides for the discovery and development of fundamental knowledge and understanding by research performers drawn primarily from academia and world-class research institutions in government and industry. This leverages the Department of Defense’s (DoD) $2 billion plus annual investment in basic research by ensuring a motivation within the scientific community to conduct research benefiting WMD-related defense missions and by improving Agency knowledge of other research efforts of potential benefit to DTRA nonproliferation, counter proliferation, and consequence management efforts. These efforts are closely coordinated with the Chem-Bio Technology portfolio, which executes a basic research program under the joint Chem-Bio Defense Program. Agency research interests are coordinated with those of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and Service basic research programs through the Defense Basic Research Advisory Group. DTRA reviews research interests annually to focus on technology areas not clearly addressed by other basic research efforts. The DTRA’s Basic Research portfolio supports several National and Department initiatives directly related to countering WMD including: Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) Nuclear Defense Research and Development Roadmap, FY2013-2017; Defense Budget Priorities and Choices for FY14 (2013); Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Science and Technology Priority Steering Council Roadmap (2012); National Military Strategy (2011); and the 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review. In general, these documents direct capability enhancements, projects and S&T that support countering WMD and reducing global nuclear dangers. Specifically they include: accelerating the development of standoff radiological/nuclear detection capabilities; researching countermeasures and defenses to non-traditional agents; enhancing nuclear forensics; securing vulnerable materials; developing new verification technologies; developing an in-depth understanding of the capabilities, values, intent, and decision making of potential foes, whether they are states, networks, or individuals; defeating WMD agents; researching biologically-based or inspired materials for DoD applications; and leveraging science, technology, and innovation through domestic and international partnerships and agreements. Basic research supporting all of these needs is included in this program element under Project RU-Fundamental Research for Combating WMD. Details are provided in the R-2a exhibit.
Document Details
- Document Type
- R2 Budgetary Justification
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2015
- Source ID
- 0601000BR_1_0400_PB_2015
- Change Summary Explanation
- The decrease in FY 2013 from the previous President's Budget submission is predominately due to Congressional reductions. The decrease from FY 2014 to FY 2015 reflects a reduced effort in combating WMD basic research resulting in reductions to the number of active basic research awards.
- Service Agency Name
- Defense Threat Reduction Agency
Entities
Organizations
- Defense Threat Reduction Agency
Related Documents
- Child Project: Fundamental Research for Combating WMD
- Child Accomplishment: Project RU: Fundamental Research for Combating WMD