Rapid Reaction Fund

Abstract

The Rapid Reaction Fund (RRF) produces innovative prototypes with a high potential for disruptive improvement and transitions them to joint warfighters and Combatant Commands (CCMDs). RRF’s streamlined business processes address mission gaps through partnerships with small and non-traditional companies, Service labs, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers, allied nations, and transition partners within the warfighter user community. RRF anticipates adversaries' exploitation of technology, including current and emerging commercial capabilities, and rapidly responds to new threats and opportunities. Project selection is guided by department-level strategies and priorities, such as the National Defense Strategy and the DoD’s modernization areas. Needs are identified and prototype projects are funded within the year of execution to demonstrate the feasibility of new technologies, enable integration into larger systems, and deliver affordable capabilities faster than standard acquisition cycles. RRF prototypes inform future acquisition or transition through rapid technology refresh and insertion into joint mission capabilities. These lower-cost prototypes and innovative business processes give the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (USD(R&E)) the agility to quickly explore new, higher-risk technology areas that have the potential for immediate, game-changing impacts. In prior years, RRF supported the creation of novel sensing systems; provided low-cost capabilities for small-footprint operations; expanded human, social, and cultural knowledge relevant to military decision making; increased small unit situational awareness; produced advanced biometrics and forensics capabilities; performed strategic multi-layer assessments; and, established a prototyping through non-traditional pathways outreach effort that facilitates better interactions with small, non-traditional companies developing innovative technologies. In FY 2020, RRF continues to support the USD(R&E) and provides a hedge against technology risk by identifying and delivering near-term capabilities to support irregular warfare operations. Recent success stories and significant transitions of note include: • Reduced Acoustic Signature Propellers prototyped and implemented quieter propellers for covert Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) mission sets. The technology transitioned to U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) and U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC). • Passive Foliage Penetration developed novel data processing algorithms to image targets under foliage from airborne platform passive video. The technology successfully transitioned to multiple partners including U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) and U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM). • Ordnance Threat/Target Automated Recognition developed deep learning based algorithms to identify military ordnance. This effort directly supports the joint explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) mission by increasing the technician’s confidence level and safety. The technology transitioned to the Joint Service EOD Program.

Document Details

• Document Type: Project
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2021
• Source ID: 828_0603826D8Z_3_0400_PB_2021

Tags

Readers

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

Technology Areas

• AI & ML
• AI & ML - DoD AI Strategy
• Autonomy
• Autonomy - UAVs
• Fully Networked C3
• Fully Networked C3 - Command and Control