Innovation and Modernization

Abstract

Innovation and Modernization (I&M) focuses on addressing the DoD’s current priority challenges in near real-time, through innovation discovery and leap-ahead prototyping. Activities include early exploration of low-cost potentially game-changing technologies and concepts, harnessing non-traditional performers and small business innovation to address DoD modernization and capability 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. I&M supports DoD modernization through multi-year projects with targeted technology and capability thrusts that are identified, selected, and executed within the year of execution. These efforts support technology maturation and lead to transition through partnerships with Services, Combatant Commands (CCMDs), and other defense agencies to enable effective, affordable, and critically needed early-stage prototype technologies. I&M achieves this through a tailored execution model that: •Creates an innovation pipeline to support key experimentation and transition efforts, such as the Rapid Defense Experimentation Reserve (RDER), targeting Department priorities and capability gaps •Is informed by Department-level strategies and priorities including the National Defense Strategy, Joint Warfighting Doctrine, CCMD priorities, and the OUSD(R&E) critical technology areas •Leverages and coordinates 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 prototypes within the year of execution to accelerate the rate of innovation and address emerging opportunities and threats •Leverages Service, 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 With funds available throughout the year of execution, I&M enables the OUSD(R&E) to identify, accelerate, and rapidly transition innovation from all sources that otherwise would not be realized through traditional research and development pathways. This execution model causes I&M to lag traditional RDT&E obligation and execution benchmarks, however, since inception I&M has achieved an unbroken 100% obligation rate. 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 with a flexible execution model allows for rapid innovation through new technology and capability thrusts 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.

Document Details

• Document Type: Project
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2025
• Source ID: 731_0603838D8Z_3_0400_PB_2025

Tags

Readers

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