Fleet Experimentation
Abstract
The Fleet Experimentation (FLEX) program (formerly Sea Trial) develops new or improved warfighter capabilities through the experimentation of high payoff initiatives, technologies and concepts, Fleet Concepts of Operations (CONOPS), doctrine, and new tactics, techniques and procedures (TTP). The objective of the CUSFF/CPF directed FLEX program is to produce recommended changes in doctrine, organization, training, materiel, leadership development, personnel, facilities, and policy (DOTMLPF-P) actions, with an emphasis on non-materiel solutions. Implementation is aimed at delivering potential solutions in support of Operations Plans (OPLANS). FLEX is dedicated to providing solutions to near term (within the Fiscal Year Defense Plan) prioritized warfighting gaps as defined by the Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces (CUSFF)/Commander, Pacific Fleet (CPF) FLEX annual guidance. FLEX exists today because CNOs (past and present) believe experimentation is vital to continuously improving naval warfighting capabilities. The FLEX program considers those warfighting gaps identified in: Integrated Prioritized Capability Lists (IPCL) generated by Warfighting Development Centers (WDC) through the warfare improvement program; the USFF/CPF Integrated Priorities Letter (IPL) delivered annually to the CNO; USFF/CPF Commanders' FLEX Guidance; and Navy and Joint Urgent Operational Needs Statements (UONS and JUONS). Of critical importance to understand is the fact that the FLEX program and associated efforts of the FLEX team support the "last tactical mile" of Navy and science and technology (S&T) programs. This "last tactical mile" support is delivered through "at sea" or "salt-water" testing and experimentation at a time when the technology is mature enough and requires evaluation on or by a fleet asset - ships, airplanes, submarines, networks, and/or sailors. In accordance with the joint CUSFF and CPF FLEX instruction, the FLEX program is the only authorized conduit to conduct experimentation using operational fleet assets. FLEX runs the gamut from multi-year campaigns (experimentation of complex DOTMLPF capability), wargames (seminar and systems, workshops, limited objective/technical experiments and advanced war fighting experiments. The campaigns involve all facets of experimentation including design, planning, systems engineering and integration, execution, data collection, analysis, assessment, and the delivery of tangible products for the fleet. While Navy-centric, FLEX efforts include joint and coalition partners when appropriate. Experimentation is vital to the Navy's future. It helps inform acquisition decisions and the development of emerging tactics, and it provides unique training opportunities for today's warfare commander, air, surface, subsurface and information dominance assets. Further reducing or diminishing support of the FLEX program will cause innovative and S&T programs to suffer consequences through the loss of expertise resident in the FLEX program and team. FLEX faces additional challenges as efforts are becoming increasingly more complex and are being conducted at higher classification levels. These challenges prevent CUSFF/CPF from publicizing successes via mainstream channels thereby giving an incomplete impression of FLEX program contributions to the USFF/CPF organize, train, equip and capability requirements mission. We had to reduce the planned funding for several contracts in FY15 due to the reduction of the FY15 budget from $6.9M to $5.1M. In addition, planned new contracts/solicitations for FY15 had to be put on hold or cancelled due to the budget cuts. The contract cost increase for FY16 is based on an assumption that FLEX will receive $8.8M, and can initiate new contract solicitations to replace expiring contracts, and replace contracts using First In First Out accounting system. FY16 has only 10 planned experiments because of the varying degrees of complexity for several of the planned events, specifically the EMW campaign. Highly complex threat and introduction of capability take years to experiment with in order to deliver TTP/TACMEMOs/Doctrine/Material capability for the Fleet to train to and use.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2016
- Source ID
- 3319_0604707N_4_1319_PB_2016
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