Combating Terrorism Technology Support (CTTS)
Abstract
The Irregular Warfare Technical Support Directorate (IWTSD) conducts rapid research and development in support of the National Defense Strategy (NDS), and the Irregular Warfare Annex, to provide leap-ahead technologies focused on surpassing current and expected levels of technology used and developed by our adversaries, with China as the pacing threat. IWTSD is mandated and structured to rapidly fill capability gaps, to include increasing lethal capability of U.S. forces at the squad and small unit level; developing lethal drones; countering Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (drones); subterranean detection and operations; novel body and vehicle armor; detecting, protecting against, and mitigating novel and wartime CBRNE threats; telematics; covert communications; and of special interest, the use of machine learning and artificial intelligence to enhance the capability of systems used by the military and lessen the workload on the individual users. During FY 2024 and into FY 2025, IWTSD will continue to focus its R&D activities to rapidly fill the immediate, emerging, and critical capability gaps for those at the tactical edge to include our nations special operations forces, other military operators, intelligence analysts, and first responders. The number of capability gaps IWTSD is able to address are reduced due to the increased cost of incorporating artificial intelligence, machine learning, cyber hardening, and DoD safety testing of prototype systems prior to OT&E. For instance, the focus on increased lethality has driven up costs to meet Defense safety and testing requirements. From a broader perspective, projects remain distributed among 10 mission categories: •Advanced Analytics •Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives •Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Explosive Operations •Expeditionary Force Protection •Advanced Development •Human Performance and Training •Indirect Influence and Competition •Protection, Survivability, and Recovery •Surveillance, Collection, and Operations Support •Tactical Offensive Support To accommodate shifting emphasis in mission articulated in the FY 2022 National Defense Strategy, while still operating within budget, IWTSD eliminated the Forensics, Exploitation and Identity Management subgroup and added the Advanced Development subgroup. In order to place greater emphasis on the Congressionally directed joint RDT&E programs with Israel, almost 100% of the staff in the Expeditionary Force Protection and the Protection, Survivability, and Recovery subgroups are dedicated to supporting the countering unmanned aerial vehicles and subterranean detection and operations joint RDT&E efforts. Each of the 10 program subgroups have enduring R&D partnerships with the components of USSOCOM, the Services; and many Defense Agencies. During FY 2023, IWTSD has partnered with USSOCOM, the Services, and Defense agencies to transition or commit to transition over 30 products to a Program of Record, limited procurement, commercialization, or a transition where small numbers of unique prototypes meet special mission requirements. IWTSD’s International R&D program has helped other DoD Components and organizations initiate task plans, that support execution of over $20+ million dollars to rapidly develop and prototype new technology and innovation through collaboration and cost sharing with Israel. While supporting the NDS by filling capability gaps to address our adversaries, with China as the pacing threat, the IWTSD program will continue to identify capabilities to combat terrorism and irregular adversaries and quickly deliver these capabilities to U.S. Defense, interagency, and international partners through rapid research and development, advanced studies, and technical innovation. IWTSD is unique in its approach, annually obtaining joint requirements directly from major Commands, Services, military operators, intelligence analyst, and first responders and discussing those requirements with industry before the requirements are released in a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA). The FY 2025 Program Requirements Meetings will take place in January, 2024 and contract awards will begin in October or November 2024 (the start of FY 2025). The IWTSD manages approximately 220 individual projects and international task plans; while also reviewing proposals and negotiating contracts for another 70 requirements for the next fiscal year. The IWTSD program justified in the R-2 exhibit identifies the projects fully or partially funded by Congressional appropriations for the IWTSD program. However, IWTSD also develops technology and provides support using external funds provided by other DoD and federal departments and international partnerships. These external funds are not reflected in this justification R-2; but the number of activities does reflect positively on the trust and competence that IWTSD has earned throughout the Department of Defense, its international partners, and other Federal organizations to rapidly conduct critical RDT&E and provide innovative products to fill their capability gaps.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2025
- Source ID
- 484_0603122D8Z_3_0400_PB_2025
Related Documents
- Root: Combating Terrorism Technology Support
- Child Accomplishment: Advanced Analytic Capabilities (AAC)
- Child Accomplishment: CHEMICAL, BIOLOGICAL, RADIOLOGICAL, NUCLEAR, AND EXPLOSIVES (CBRNE)
- Child Accomplishment: Explosive Ordnance Disposal/Explosive Operations (EOD/EXO)
- Child Accomplishment: Indirect Influence and Competition (I2C)
- Child Accomplishment: Protection, Survivability, and Recovery (PSR)
- Child Accomplishment: Expeditionary Force Protection (EFP)
- Child Accomplishment: SURVEILLANCE, COLLECTION AND OPERATIONS SUPPORT
- Child Accomplishment: Tactical Offensive Support (TOS)
- Child Accomplishment: Human Performance and Training (HPT)