Defense Modernization and Prototyping
Abstract
In alignment with the National Defense Strategy, the Defense Modernization and Prototyping (DM&P) Program Element (PE) supports the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (USD(R&E)) with innovation-focused experimentation and prototyping to deliver joint mission capabilities to the warfighter at the speed of relevance. DM&P’s mission-focused capabilities cross functional domains and enhance warfighter lethality, technical superiority, adaptability, and resilience. DM&P funding supports joint prototype development, joint experimentation for concept of operations (CONOPs) development, and red teaming validations that enable disruptive innovation to sustain the United States' operational superiority. The DM&P PE enables the USD(R&E) vision for next generation platforms, weapons systems, fire control, sensors, logistics, and communications. The consolidated nature of the DM&P PE increases the Department’s ability to coordinate activities across the Services, Defense Agencies, and international partners; provides the agility to rapidly pivot to new threats; and, supplies the resources necessary to ensure a technological overmatch against future threats. This realignment directly supports the Department’s modernization plans by streamlining investments, reducing the time from discovery to deployment, and enabling development of disruptive technologies to help realize the National Defense Strategy. DM&P prototyping projects increase the speed of technology innovation by reducing technology risk for capabilities addressing modernization challenges. With an emphasis on joint and interagency partnerships, DM&P matures capability options to anticipate and inform new acquisition pathways in addition to formal requirements and acquisition processes. Project selection is guided by Department-level strategies and priorities, such as the Department of Defense (DoD) modernization priorities, National Defense Strategy, the Chairman’s Capability Gap Assessment, and the Combatant Commands’ Integrated Priority Lists (IPLs). The DM&P PE supports four major project codes that expedite development and transition of new joint mission capabilities to the warfighter. These project codes are: 1) Emerging Capability Technology Development (ECTD), 2) Quick Reaction Special Projects (QRSP), 3) Red Teaming, and 4) Time Sensitive Target Defeat (TSTD). Completed DM&P projects transition to joint programs through fielded operationally relevant prototypes; technology adoption into programs of record; integration into system level, multi-year joint demonstrations; and through advanced research and engineering efforts like the Warfighting Lab Incentive Fund for further development of tactics, techniques, procedures, and concepts of operations. The DM&P PE will continue to leverage the year of execution processes that enabled ECTD and QRSP to quickly and effectively respond to emergent innovation opportunities through the rapid development and transition of risk reducing prototypes. DM&P prototyping activities include initial concept discovery of potentially game-changing capabilities through relatively low cost risk reducing prototypes; and, high-fidelity prototyping of advanced systems in partnership with the Services, Defense Agencies, and allies to inform the acquisition of new joint mission capabilities though experimentation and red teaming.
Document Details
- Document Type
- R2 Budgetary Justification
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2021
- Source ID
- 0603338D8Z_3_0400_PB_2021
- Change Summary Explanation
- The adjustment of $134.009 million reflects the transfer of all funding and project investment areas previously supported by PE 0603699D8Z Emerging Capabilities Technology Development (ECTD), PE 0603826D8Z Quick Reaction Special Projects (QRSP), and PE 0604132D8Z Missile Defeat Project. The transfer of these resources is to provide transparency, alignment and focus supporting development of key technologies and modernization with OUSD(R&E) identified capability thrust priorities.
- Service Agency Name
- Office of the Secretary Of Defense
Entities
Organizations
- Office of the Secretary of Defense
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