Concepts and Capabilities
Abstract
Concepts & Capabilities (C&C) focuses on executing advanced operational prototypes with the joint Services and Combatant Commands (CCMD). C&C validates warfighting concepts and accelerates new capabilities faster than the traditional defense acquisition process. The uniqueness of C&C is in the joint collaboration and the funding flexibility of the Title-10 investment. C&C emphasizes delivering major system components and/or single fieldable systems for joint warfighting application, while informing Service programs of record. The delivery of these operational prototypes are typically within 24 to 36 months. C&C drives prototyping investments to address the Joint warfighter’s most pressing operational capability gaps and accelerates new capability development in conjunction with the joint Services and CCMD. Based on established needs, C&C sponsors joint efforts to mature operational prototypes through approved developmental portfolios. Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research & Engineering (OUSD(R&E)) portfolio managers provide government oversight and execute collective development with operational leads from the Service and CCMDs; pool technical resources from the Service research, engineering laboratories, program executive offices; leverage academia and industry expertise as needed; require Service cost-sharing partnerships; and execute the necessary planning steps for future transition early within the developmental life cycle. This execution strategy represents a time-proven catalyst for collaborative development and accelerates delivery of operational prototypes to the joint warfighter. In FY 2023, several efforts transferred from the Joint Capability Technology Demonstration (JCTD) program to the new Defense Innovation Acceleration (DIA) program, as they continue to boost innovation and increase military competitive advantage in the Indo-Pacific area of operations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2025
- Source ID
- 730_0603838D8Z_3_0400_PB_2025
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