Quick Reaction Special Projects (QRSP)

Abstract

The Quick Reaction Special Projects (QRSP) Program Element funds the development of risk-reducing prototypes and accelerates capability innovation to deliver performance to the joint warfighter at the speed of relevance. QRSP prototypes increase warfighter lethality, affordably counter emerging technological threats, and help address the immediate needs of the Combatant Commands (CCMD). Due to the relatively low average cost of projects, QRSP is able to explore higher-risk opportunities with potentially higher reward. Project selection is guided by Department-level strategies and priorities, such as the National Defense Strategy, the Chairman’s Capability Gap Assessment, DoD’s modernization priorities, and the Combatant Commands’ (CCMD) Integrated Priority Lists (IPLs). 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). Efforts within these project codes align to DoD science and technology priorities, address challenges identified in the National Defense Strategy, and support the DoD’s modernization priorities. The QRF develops prototypes in response to emergent needs that take advantage of breakthroughs in rapidly evolving technologies and accelerate these innovations to the warfighter. The QRF program initiates prototyping projects during the execution year to mature technologies critically needed for the CCMDs and rapidly transition those capabilities. QRF projects are identified through current warfighter gaps, solutions proposed by CCMDs, and jointly applicable capabilities identified by the Services and Defense Agencies. In 2020, QRF funding to support prototyping or experimentation will be transferred to PE 0603699D8Z Emerging Capabilities Technology Development. The RRF develops prototypes to counter emerging threats; anticipate adversaries’ exploitation of new technologies; and, expedite delivery of effective, affordable, and critically needed capabilities to the warfighter. RRF initiatives accelerate innovation by rapidly developing high-risk prototypes with the potential for immediate and impactful transition of warfighter capabilities. RRF leverages emerging capabilities, such as machine learning algorithms and software intelligence, to enable novel prototypes with agile technology insertion paths. Funded projects also leverage existing capabilities from traditional industrial bases and non-traditional suppliers in the commercial sector, academia, international arenas, and small businesses. The JRAC responds, in timeframes acceptable to the CCMDs, to Joint Urgent Operational Needs (JUON) and Joint Emerging Operational Needs (JEON) that are submitted by CCMDs and validated by the Joint Staff. To meet these objectives, JRAC leverages contingency and other rapid acquisition authorities. In 2020, the Joint Rapid Acquisition Cell Support will transfer to PE 0903399D8Z. The SMA supports senior leadership within the 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 U.S. government, academia, and the private sector, the SMA develops options to Joint Staff and CCMD-generated challenging problems to inform senior leadership. Each assessment is initiated at the request of CCMD senior leadership. Priorities for SMA programs are set by the Joint Staff Deputy Director for Global Operations (DDGO). SMA products are typically generated within six to nine months and directly contribute to the decision-making process of the Joint Staff and CCMD senior leadership.

Document Details

• Document Type: R2 Budgetary Justification
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2020
• Source ID: 0603826D8Z_3_0400_PB_2020
• Change Summary Explanation: The FY 2018 decrease is the net of a $3.000 million Congressional increase for Solar Energy Research, a $5.000 million Congressional reduction for prior year carryover, and required FFRDC and SBIR/STTR adjustments. The FY 2019 Congressional decrement was for efficiencies and prior year carryover. The 2020 baseline reduction is the net of the transfer out of the Quick Reaction fund to Emerging Capabilities Technology Development (Program Element 0603699D8Z) to support Prototyping, and the transfer out of the Joint Rapid Acquisition Cell to an Operations and Maintenance Program Element (0903399D8Z) within the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment (OUSD(A&S)) for proper alignment and execution.
• Service Agency Name: Office of the Secretary Of Defense

Entities

Organizations

• Office of the Secretary of Defense

Tags

Communities of Interest

• Advanced Electronics
• Air Platforms
• Autonomy
• Cyber
• Electronic Warfare
• Engineered Resilient Systems
• Ground and Sea Platforms
• Human Systems
• Sensors
• Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

• Air Force
• Artificial Intelligence
• Asymmetric Warfare
• Combat Casualty Care
• Combatant Commanders
• Computer Vision
• Machine Learning
• Microelectromechanical Systems
• Military Research
• National Security
• Sensor Networks
• Social Media
• Test And Evaluation
• Unified Combatant Commands
• Unmanned Aerial Systems
• Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
• Warfare

Readers

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

Technology Areas

• AI & ML
• AI & ML - DoD AI Strategy