Emerging Capabilities Technology Development

Abstract

In alignment with the National Defense Strategy, the Emerging Capabilities Technology Development (ECTD) Program Element (PE) supports the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (USD(R&E)) with experimentation and mid-term, mission-focused capability development that crosses functional domains and enhances warfighter lethality, technical superiority, adaptability, and resilience. ECTD 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. Joint demonstrations and ECTD-sponsored venues of defense-wide experiments provide opportunities for emerging technologies to succeed, or fail fast. Demonstration venues include: Stiletto, a maritime experimentation and demonstration platform; Thunderstorm, a multi-domain venue focused on small and non-traditional businesses; Silent Hammer, an advanced electronic warfare venue; and, other tailored experimentation and demonstration events. The red teaming funding line explores vulnerabilities in emerging technologies and enables USD(R&E), and the broader defense science and technology community, to make informed decisions before investing in new capabilities. Red teaming enables adaptation to unforeseen vulnerabilities or opportunities early in capability development when design changes are cost effective and programs can be re-directed if developmental dead ends are discovered. ECTD prototypes, demonstrations, experimentations, and red teaming validations enable developers to showcase new and maturing capabilities in realistic environments and against realistic threats with operational user involvement. ECTD prototyping projects increase the speed of technology innovation by reducing technology risk for emerging capabilities. With an emphasis on joint and interagency partnerships, ECTD 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 National Defense Strategy, the Chairman’s Capability Gap Assessment, and Department of Defense (DoD) modernization priorities.

Document Details

• Document Type: R2 Budgetary Justification
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2021
• Source ID: 0603699D8Z_3_0400_PB_2021
• Change Summary Explanation: The FY 2020 Congressional adjustment of $28.500 million is the net of a $10.000 million increase for high-altitude optical reconnaissance unit and sensors, a $3.000 million increase for open source intelligence, a $8.000 million increase for remote advise and assist technology development, a $5.000 million increase for disruptive air and missile defense, a $10.000 million increase for artificial intelligence enabled sensor network, and a $7.500 million reduction for program growth. The FY 2021 baseline reduction is the transfer out of the ECTD Program Element funding to the Defense Modernization and Prototyping PE (0603338D8Z) to provide alignment, transparency and focus supporting development of key technologies within USD(R&E) identified modernization prototypes and capability thrust areas.
• Service Agency Name: Office of the Secretary Of Defense

Entities

Organizations

• Office of the Secretary of Defense

Tags

Communities of Interest

• Advanced Electronics
• Autonomy
• Cyber
• Electronic Warfare
• Energy and Power Technologies
• Engineered Resilient Systems
• Human Systems
• Materials and Manufacturing Processes
• Sensors
• Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

• Air Force
• Artificial Intelligence
• Department Of Defense
• Detectors
• Disruptive Technology
• Electronic Warfare
• Emerging Technology
• Fabrication
• Fixed Wing Aircraft
• Manufacturing
• National Security
• Test And Evaluation
• Unified Combatant Commands
• United States Special Operations Command
• Unmanned Aerial Systems
• Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
• Warfare

Readers

• Defense Technology Research and Development.
• Enterprise Information Systems Architecture and Joint Command Capability Interoperability Support.
• Maritime and Naval Warfare Studies

Technology Areas

• Microelectronics