Quick Reaction Special Projects (QRSP)

Abstract

The Quick Reaction Special Projects (QRSP) Program Element (PE) 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, the Department of Defense’s (DoD) modernization priorities, and the CCMD’s 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. Funding and activities within QRF transferred to other Program Elements in FY 2020. RRF develops prototypes to counter emerging threats; anticipates adversaries’ exploitation of new technologies; and, expedites 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 the traditional industrial base and non-traditional suppliers in the commercial sector, academia, international arenas, and small businesses. 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. The Joint Staff Deputy Director for Global Operations (DDGO) sets priorities for SMA programs. 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.

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Document Details

Document Type
R2 Budgetary Justification
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2021
Source ID
0603826D8Z_3_0400_PB_2021
Change Summary Explanation
The FY 2020 Congressional reduction of $11.500 million was directed for Prior year carryover. The FY 2021 baseline reduction is the transfer out of QRSP resources to PE 0603338D8Z Defense Modernization and Prototyping to provide alignment, transparency and focus supporting development of key technologies and modernization within OUSD(R&E) identified capability thrust priorities.
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
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Human Systems
  • Sensors
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Asymmetric Warfare
  • Explosives
  • Information Science
  • Information Systems
  • Machine Learning
  • Materials Science
  • Microelectromechanical Systems
  • National Security
  • Network Protocols
  • Test And Evaluation
  • Unified Combatant Commands
  • Unmanned Aerial Systems
  • Unmanned Underwater Vehicles
  • Urban Areas
  • 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

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