Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration (ACTD)
Abstract
The Department of Defense (DoD) initiated the Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration (ACTD) program with the purpose of demonstrating new, mature technologies in an operational environment and the goal of getting new technology into the hands of the warfighter as quickly as possible. Early successes included the Predator and Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). As of year end FY06, DoD has started 150 ACTDs, a total of 70 ACTDs were in process, and 22 had been returned to the technology base or terminated. However, no ACTD's have been started since FY 2006 with full transition to the JCTD program in FY 2007. By FY 2010 it is anticipated only three remaining ACTD's will not have completed the Miliatry Utilility Assessment (MUA). All funding in the ACTD program officially transferred to the JCTD program element (PE) in FY 2008, however, in 2008 and 2009 one congressional add was placed in the ACTD PE in each year. The ACTD program demonstrated tremendous success in meeting urgent warfighter needs with 65 ACTDs contributing products that are/were employed in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and/or Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). A non-exhaustive list of ACTDs deploying products to either OIF or OEF includes: Language and Speech Exploitation Resources (LASER), Expendable Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (XUAV), and the Joint Explosive Ordnance Disposal (JEOD) projects. In FY 2006, the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Advanced Systems and Concepts (DUSD(AS&C)) initiated a new business process, building on the success of the ACTD program, to support the Department's transformational reform of addressing future threats from a capabilities focus versus the classical threat based viewpoint. The revised ACTD approach is called the Joint Capability Technology Demonstration (JCTD) program, and is based on proven, positive aspects of the ACTD program with new modifications. The JCTD model specifically addresses congressional concerns and recommendations made by the General Accountability Office (GAO) regarding rapid development and transitioning of Combatant Commander (CoCom) relevant capabilities to the joint warfighter in a more cost effective, timely and efficient model. Aligning closely with the thrust of with the Joint Staff's Joint Integration and Development System (JCIDS), JCTDs take a more balanced project candidate identification approach, shifting the overall program's focus to identifying specific warfighter capabilities needs up front (requirements pull), and then finding technology or concepts to address these needs, while maintaining the historical ACTD approach, where new technology is introduced to the warfighter to solve existing operational shortfalls (technology push). In FY 2008 DUSD (AS&C) shifted all funding to the JCTD program and maintains oversight of the JCTD program. No projects are currently funded in the ACTD PE 0603750D8Z in FY 2008 and there have not been any ACTD new starts since 2006. All remaining ACTDs will be funded through the JCTD program until completion. In FY 2008 there was one Congressional adjustment in FY 2008, the Power Dozer project. Funding was added to the ACTD for the project in the FY 2008 appropriation and remains the only funding resident in this PE. FY 2009 Output: One Congressional adjustment in FY 2009 was added, the Advanced Emergency Response Integrated Environment (AIRIE). FY 2010/2011 Planned Output: Anticipate no funding or projects executed with funding from this Program Element.
Document Details
- Document Type
- R2 Budgetary Justification
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2011
- Source ID
- 0603750D8Z_3_0400_PB_2011
- Change Summary Explanation
- Service Agency Name
- Office of Secretary Of Defense
Related Documents
- Child Project: ACTD