Tactical Edge Kill Chains (TEK-C) Focus Area
Abstract
TEK-C augments weapons/fires by improving the speed, precision, and reliability of fire support and kill chain capabilities. Projects leverage opportunities to rapidly mature and demonstrate advanced weapon systems through targeted prototyping of key enabling technologies, including technologies and capability concepts to enhance the lethality of the joint force, reduce the time to make critical decisions, autonomously distribute tasking and orders, and protect warfighters through increased use of intelligent networks, autonomous sensing platforms, and human-machine collaborative systems. TEK-C leverages technology innovation from small businesses and non-traditional performers. In FY 2023, I&M selected, executed, and transitioned multiple TEK-C projects, including: •Automated Joint Terminal Attack Control Message Exchange (AJME): This project designed and developed a prototype software that automates the exchange of specific messages across joint systems using government off-the-shelf (GOTS) standards and technologies, improving the clarity and speed of communications necessary for coordinated fires support. Development of the technology continued in FY 2023 with transition to the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army for future refinement in FY 2024. •Perched Mantlet: This project developed an unattended ground sensor prototype to detect low and medium altitude threats. Prototype development continued in FY 2023 with final transition to DoD partners. Additional details are classified. •Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Targeting (ISRT): This project developed a laser target designator for integration onto a small form factor gimbal to support ISR and targeting missions. This effort reduced the size, weight, and power (SWaP) of the gimbal to enable precision fires while conducting ISR missions with a small unmanned aerial system (s-UAS). Prototype development continued in FY 2023, with the initial targeting system undergoing operational testing and evaluation to ensure the advances in optical systems are compatible with s-UAS platforms. The project identified additional functionalities to provide enhancements to the gimbal that would improve the operators targeting capabilities. The project concluded with the developed capability transitioning to USSOCOM and the Joint Services for integration. •Aided Target Recognition (AiTR): This project accelerates the development and demonstration of a modular processing component that enables automatic threat detection capabilities on SWaP constrained platforms. AiTR provides embedded capabilities for existing and next-generation sensors, resulting in approximately 50 percent improvement in target identification range. In FY 2023, prototype and targeting algorithm development was completed with an initial evaluation against military relevant targets. AiTR transitioned to the U.S. Army for further development. •El Camino: This project developed machine learning approaches to enhance imagery to aid in aircraft navigation. Prototype development and demonstration continued in FY 2023. Additional details are classified. •Flying Self Emplacement Sea Glider: This project merged two distinct unmanned systems: Unmanned Undersea Vehicle (UUVs) and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) resulting in a hybrid unmanned system capable of autonomous flight followed by transition to underwater operation. Development of the capability continued in FY 2023 with final transition to the U.S. Navy. •Measured Threat Risk Assessment (MeTRA): This project develops a model-based systems engineering environment and knowledge management collaboration platform to reduce security vulnerabilities, increase resiliency, and to support agile analysis for making data-driven security decisions. In FY 2023, MeTRA initiated modeling and process assessments with final transition to a DoD partner in FY 2024. •Dark Skies: This project reduced risk for tactical aircraft in contested environments. Prototype development continued in FY 2023 with final transition to a DoD partner. Additional details are classified. •Next Generation Hypersonic Testing (NiGHT): This project tested and assessed the utility of a novel technology capable of providing significant performance benefits for future DoD applications. In FY 2023, the project successfully conducted a test program at a government facility and completed initial conceptual design and mission analysis. In FY 2024, using FY 2023 funds, the project will finalize conceptual design and mission analysis before transitioning to the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy. Additional details are classified. •Digital Power-Optimized Pixel (D-POP): This project demonstrated a digital pixel circuit design that can reduce camera power consumption by 90 percent when compared to current-fielded digital-pixel camera systems. This project designed, fabricated, and characterized test devices to prove the feasibility of building larger camera systems with this technology. In FY 2023, the project completed the design and fabrication of test chips that integrate a new low-power pixel design into an imaging array readout circuit. Initial laboratory testing and characterization of the devices began. In FY 2024, using FY 2023 funds, the project will complete performance characterization of the new pixel design and transition to DoD partners. •Project HighJumper: This project improved current vision-based guidance for aerial systems. Prototype development continued in FY 2023 with final transition to DoD partners. Additional details are classified. •LAMPOST: This project designed and fabricated a novel millimeter-scale hydrophone allowing a larger number of sensors to be deployed in a given system, increasing the area coverage and sensor performance. FY 2023, LAMPOST developed an analytical and computational model that estimates the bandwidth of the hydrophone. Work continues in FY 2024 before transitioning to the U.S. Navy. •Project 3750: This project developed technologies for information sharing and distributed collaboration. Prototype development continued in FY 2023. Work continues in FY 2024 before transitioning to DoD partners. Additional details are classified.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Accomplishment
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2025
- Source ID
- 84d91bbc6ea47c59e3b56cbf3709e1c9