Innovation and Modernization

Abstract

Innovation and Modernization (I&M) focuses on early-stage innovation discovery and leap-ahead efforts that expand the art-of-the-possible with a strong emphasis on small businesses and non-traditional partners. Activities within this project include early exploration of potentially game-changing technologies and concepts, harnessing small and non-traditional business innovation to address Department of Defense (DoD) modernization challenges. I&M acts as an innovation accelerator by funding discovery efforts and the development of prototypes to identify and mature solutions for joint capability gaps. Efforts support both the technology maturation and development of transition pathways through partnerships with Services, Combatant Commands (CCMDs), and other defense agencies to enable effective, affordable, and critically needed early stage “developmental” prototype technologies. I&M achieves this through a tailored execution model that: • Leverages innovation from all sources including Service laboratories, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs)/University Affiliated Research Centers (UARCs), the defense industry, small businesses, non-traditional performers, and academia; • Responds rapidly with the ability to identify and fund prototyping efforts within the year of execution to accelerate the rate of innovation and address emerging opportunities and threats; • Leverages Services, defense agency, and industry investments through partnerships that share risk and increase alignment with OUSD(R&E) priorities; • Incorporates transition sponsor participation during project development, prototyping, and evaluation; • Creates an innovation pipeline to support formalized experimentation and transition efforts, such as RDER, targeting Department priorities and capability gaps; • Is informed by Department-level strategies and priorities, including the National Defense Strategy, OUSD(R&E) critical technology areas, and the Combatant Commands’ (CCMD) integrated priority lists ; and, • Coordinates across the defense innovation ecosystem, including Service laboratories, FFRDCs/UARCs, academia, and the private sector, thereby increasing impact and reducing duplication. With funds available throughout the year of execution, I&M enables the OUSD(R&E) to identify, accelerate, and rapidly transition innovation from small businesses and non-traditional performers that otherwise would not be realized through traditional research and development pathways. Accordingly, I&M can be responsive and flexible to the DoD and joint warfighter needs, supporting rapid prototyping to meet immediate capability needs or game-changing technologies that maintain technological superiority and create enduring change. I&M’s focus on innovation discovery leads to smaller efforts supported by joint and interagency partnerships with clearly defined milestones and risk reduction. Prototyping efforts are identified throughout the year by leveraging engagements with industry, Service laboratories, FFRDCs, and other innovation centers. Individual projects generally span 12 to 24 months, typically at a cost of less than $2.000 million. In FY 2023, previously approved and funded efforts transferred from Defense Modernization and Prototyping (DM&P) 0603338D8Z to I&M for continued development and innovation discovery with small businesses and non-traditional performers.

Document Details

• Document Type: Project
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2024
• Source ID: 731_0603838D8Z_3_0400_PB_2024

Tags

Readers

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