Quick Reactions Special Projects (QRSP)
Abstract
The QRSP Program Element develops risk-reducing prototypes and conducts demonstrations designed to develop capabilities in anticipation of emerging adversary threats, while addressing immediate Combatant Commands (CCMD) needs. QRSP efforts support the Department’s goal to provide a hedge against technical uncertainty by acting as an incubator for developing potentially game-changing capabilities and by fostering collaboration among other government agencies, DoD laboratories, academia, and the commercial sector. DoD’s strategy recognizes a return to a more competitive environment with resurgence of near-peer competitors and adversaries who have studied and worked to counter U.S. technological capabilities. QRSP provides an agile mechanism to affordably counter emerging technological threats and help maintain the United States’ competitive advantage. Specifically, QRSP enables the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics (USD(AT&L)) and the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (ASD(R&E)) to anticipate and respond to emergent DoD issues and time-sensitive threats by selecting projects within the year of execution. Project selection is guided by Department-level strategies and priorities, such as the building blocks for the Third Offset Strategy, Reliance 21, the Long Range Research and Development Program Plan, and CCMD Integrated Priority Lists (IPLs). QRSP efforts field new capabilities at low cost and in short time-frames, inform the requirements process, and inject innovative technologies into programs of record. The QRSP Program supports four major project codes that expedite development and transition of new capabilities to the warfighter. These project codes are: 1) Quick Reaction Fund (QRF), 2) Rapid Reaction Fund (RRF), 3) Joint Rapid Acquisition Cell (JRAC) support, and 4) Strategic Multi-Layered Assessment (SMA) Cell support. Focus areas within these project codes align to DoD science and technology priorities, including counter anti-access/area denial; counter weapons of mass destruction; target identification and tracking; surveillance, intelligence, and reconnaissance; low-cost precision engagement; counter-electronic warfare; and, autonomous systems. The QRF Program objectives are to develop prototypes in response to emergent conventional warfare needs that take advantage of breakthroughs in rapidly evolving technologies. The QRF is executed by the Rapid Reaction Technology Office (RRTO). QRF projects focus on force protection to enhance anti-access and area denial capabilities, broad electronic warfare capabilities, mitigating hardware and software vulnerabilities, and autonomous learning systems for processing and analyzing intelligence streams. QRF initiates projects during the execution year and focuses on maturing technologies critically needed for the CCMDs by producing prototypes for demonstration and evaluation. QRF projects typically advance Technology Readiness Level (TRL) four to five technologies to transition them to an end user or CCMD at a TRL of seven or higher with a total project duration of 12 months. The QRF consistently exceeds the transition objective of 40 percent for demonstration programs (DoD Strategic Objective 3.5.2D). The RRF Program objectives, executed by RRTO, are to develop proof-of-principle prototypes to counter emerging irregular warfare threats, anticipate adversaries’ exploitation of new technologies, and expedite delivery of effective, affordable, and critically needed capabilities to the warfighter. RRF initiatives support the DoD Research and Engineering Enterprise mission to develop, demonstrate, assess, and rapidly field innovative concepts and technologies that supply critical capabilities to meet time-sensitive operational needs. RRF leverages emerging capabilities, such as advanced algorithms and software intelligence, to enable virtual prototyping with agile capability delivery and technology insertion. RRTO leverages our traditional industrial bases and non-traditional suppliers in the commercial sector, academia, international arenas, and small businesses to address DoD needs as identified by CCMD, Military Service organizations, other Defense organizations, and interagency partners. Typical RRF programs are 6 to 18 months in duration and aim to mature a capability to demonstration. The RRF consistently exceeds the transition objective of 40 percent for demonstration programs (DoD Strategic Objective 3.5.2D). The JRAC Program objectives focus on responding to Joint Urgent Operational Needs (JUONS) and Joint Emerging Operational Needs (JEONS) that have been submitted by CCMDs and validated by the Joint Staff. In addition, the JRAC’s objectives are to manage the delivery of capabilities as requested by the CCMD in a timeframe acceptable to the CCMD. Efforts, in most instances, use contingency and other rapid acquisition authorities. The SMA Cell objective is to support all CCMDs, Joint Force Commanders, and other government agencies by assessing complex operational and technical challenges, which require collaborative multi-agency and multi-disciplinary approaches. With input from across the United States Government, academia, and the private sector, the SMA Cell develops options to Joint Staff and CCMD-generated challenging problems that inform senior leadership. Each assessment is initiated at the request of CCMD senior leadership. Priorities for SMA Cell programs are set by the Joint Staff Deputy for Operations. Products are typically generated within six months and directly contribute to the decision-making process of the Joint Staff and CCMD's senior leadership.
Document Details
- Document Type
- R2 Budgetary Justification
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2018
- Source ID
- 0603826D8Z_3_0400_PB_2018
- Change Summary Explanation
- The FY 2017 to FY 2018 funding profile decrease reflects adjustments for Departmental priorities and requirements. The FY 2018 baseline funding decrease is being applied to fund higher priority DoD requirements.
- Service Agency Name
- Office of the Secretary Of Defense
Entities
Organizations
- Office of the Secretary of Defense
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