Quick Reaction Fund
Abstract
The Quick Reaction Fund (QRF) provides the Combatant Commands (CCMDs), Services and joint warfighters opportunities to capitalize on relatively mature technologies to rapidly prototype and field-test promising new prototypes that can have immediate impact on time-sensitive operational needs. New capabilities address National Defense Strategy priorities and inform programs of record or new acquisition pathways to more effectively and affordably push innovation to the field. QRF focuses on projects that have the potential to address conventional, disruptive, and asymmetric warfare needs. QRF initiatives typically deliver a prototype application within 12 months of being funded. In FY 2019, QRF identifies and funds prototypes that respond to critical operational needs and emerging threats. QRF projects are selected in the year of execution based on Department, CCMD, Service, and other government organization identified threats and opportunities. In FY 2020, QRF funds will transfer to PE 0603699D8Z Emerging Capabilities Technology Development to facilitate prototyping and experimentation to support the DoD’s modernization priorities. Recent success stories and significant transitions of note include: • Talon Archer: This project prototyped novel sensors capable of passively detecting nation-state assets at extended ranges. The project demonstrated these novel sensors at key locations to provide indications and warnings in defense of the homeland. The information from the Talon Archer sensors will be sent to national organizations in near-real time to inform decision makers. Talon Archer transitioned to support a classified mission in the U.S. Northern Command area of responsibility. Additional details are classified. • Isosceles: This project prototyped an on-demand experimentation capability that provides high-fidelity results for understanding whether certain strategic systems meet their performance thresholds and goals. Isosceles removes the need to use dissimilar surrogates during system evaluations, significantly improving the quality and accuracy of the evaluations. Isosceles transitioned to a classified program of record in 2018. • Sidecast: This project deployed a prototype set of fully customizable government-off-the-shelf tools for network exploitation. The solution leverages government best practices and expands DoD’s capability to operate with customized software tools. Sidecast enhances the Combatant Commands’ capability to operate and exploit network information in near real time. With this capability, the warfighter has tools designed for open network exploitation for a fraction of the cost of existing programs. Sidecast transitioned to a classified customer within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. • Hammerhead: This project responded to the need for more available courses of action in the event of certain space systems contingencies. The OSD project team and the Space Systems Defense Program (SSDP) transitioned Hammerhead to an operational capability. Additional details are classified.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2020
- Source ID
- 826_0603826D8Z_3_0400_PB_2020
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