Joint Capability Technology Demonstration (JCTD)

Abstract

In alignment with the National Defense Strategy (NDS) and the DoD modernization priorities, the Joint Capability Technology Demonstration (JCTD) program conducts prototype demonstrations and experimentation to address Joint and Combatant Commands’ (CCMDs) warfighting needs within two to four years of the identification of a need. The program delivers developmental and operational prototypes to the field for military utility assessment (MUA) enabling scale-up of science and technology from the laboratories into defense acquisition programs. The objective is to affordably operationalize prototyped technologies that enable warfighters to explore novel concepts and to facilitate informed transition to formal programs of record (PoR). Based on the results of the MUA, performed under the cognizance of a CCMD sponsor, the products of a JCTD are “left behind” for additional assessments or operational use, transitioned to a PoR, or returned to the technical baseline inventory for further development. The JCTD program serves as a transition bridge between the USD (R&E) and the USD Acquisition and Sustainment offices. The key tenets of the program fulfill national objectives to build a more lethal force, strengthen alliances, and enable the Department of Defense (DoD) to achieve greater performance and affordability. Following USD(R&E) guidance, the JCTD program seeks to inform new mission capabilities for the Joint Warfighter with a focus on expediting transition timelines to meet critical challenges and operational problems. Investment for FY 2019 and beyond enables independent demonstrations and operational assessments for emerging cross-cutting technologies, including detection and tracking of hypersonic threats; hardening technology that protects systems against directed energy threats; machine learning tools that increase data processing, exploitation, and data sharing for intelligence analysts; demonstration of improved sensors for persistent wide-area surveillance in a global positioning system-denied environment; and demonstration of improved precision guided munitions that enhances missile defense and restricts enemy movements in the multi-domain environment. JCTD outcomes accelerate technology transition by rapidly evaluating technology risk, reliability, interoperability, cyber security, and manufacturing processes. Evaluating prototyped technologies in a relevant operational environment informs acquisition pathways and major acquisition program decisions prior to milestone A or B approvals. The JCTD program achieves its objectives by engaging the Military Services, interagency, international, and non-governmental partners to expand the DoD's access to prototyping and innovation. JCTDs serve as a vehicle for CCMDs to address Joint Force strategic priority areas that present significant risk and suffer from inadequate investment. JCTDs often address technology needs that fall into the seams between the Military Services and DoD Agencies. JCTD investments are informed by the CCMDs’ integrated priority list, the capability gaps assessment provided by the Joint Staff, and the Military Services' science and technology roadmaps. In FY 2018, the JCTD program successfully completed three MUAs and transitioned three JCTD prototypes. Two JCTDs transitioned all or select components to new or existing PoRs, and one operational prototype was directly fielded and is being sustained by non-JCTD funds in theater operations. MEASURABLE OUTCOMES: A successful JCTD will transition capability for operational use. The historical transition rate for the JCTD program is 85 percent, including: 64 prototypes (55 percent) transitioning to a PoR; 31 prototypes (26 percent) providing “leave-behind” assets for operational fielding; and five prototypes (four percent) placed on the General Services Administration schedule. The remaining 17 prototypes (15 percent) were returned to the technical base for further development or were terminated. Overall, the JCTD program has directly supported multiple key operations while rapidly accelerating game changing technologies/capabilities.

Document Details

• Document Type: R2 Budgetary Justification
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2020
• Source ID: 0603648D8Z_3_0400_PB_2020
• Service Agency Name: Office of the Secretary Of Defense

Entities

Organizations

• Office of the Secretary of Defense

Tags

Communities of Interest

• Air Platforms
• Autonomy
• C4I
• Cyber
• Engineered Resilient Systems
• Ground and Sea Platforms
• Space
• Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

• Air Force
• Aircrafts
• Cognitive Systems Engineering
• Combatant Commanders
• Control Systems
• Electronic Warfare
• Military Applications
• National Security
• Synthetic Aperture Radar
• Test And Evaluation
• Unified Combatant Commands
• Unmanned Aerial Systems
• Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
• Unmanned Ground Systems
• Unmanned Ground Vehicles
• Unmanned Systems
• Warfare

Readers

• Defense Acquisition Program Management
• Enterprise Information Systems Architecture and Joint Command Capability Interoperability Support.
• Military Science and Technology Research and Modernization.

Technology Areas

• AI & ML
• AI & ML - DoD AI Strategy
• Cyber
• Directed Energy
• Hypersonics
• Space