Rapid Equipping Force

Abstract

This R-Form reflects two (2) separate organizations; The Rapid Equipping Force(REF) and the Asymmetric Warfare Group (AWG). All funding figures reflect only REF. AWG request is not reflected in funding figures. The Rapid Equipping Force (REF) supports Combatant Command (COCOM)/Army Service Component Command (ASCC) based on emerging rapid equipment requirements. The REF is an enduring organization (Base funded) per Headquarters, Department of the Army, memo, SUBJECT: Implementation Plan for Stabilization of the Rapid Equipping Force (REF), signed by the Under Secretary of the Army: Joseph W. Westphal, dated 30 January 2014. The REF harnesses current and emerging technologies to provide rapid solutions to U.S. Army Forces employed globally. The REF combines and integrates functions that cross several Army staff elements and ASCCs to accelerate materiel solutions and technology insertion to U.S. Army Forces employed globally. The REF is the Army's quick reaction capability with the ability to develop, prototype, acquire, integrate and sustain Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS), Government Off-The-Shelf (GOTS) and Non-Developmental Item (NDI) solutions to meet urgent combat requirements for forces employed globally. It develops and inserts selected future force technologies, capabilities, and surrogate materiel solutions into deployed, deploying, select prepared to deploy, and transformational forces for operational evaluation, assessment, and evolutionary development. The REF assesses the provided capabilities to improve future solutions, to inform future Army capability requirements and to potentially transition the capability to an Army acquisition program. The REF bridges the gap between the traditional acquisition process and immediate equipping needs. The REF pursues tangible solutions that can be equipped rapidly with a goal of 180 days. The REF focuses on finding immediate and effective game-changing capabilities to increase Soldier effectiveness, protection, and lethality in any operational environment. The REF process provides the mechanism to respond rapidly to an adaptive enemy who changes in days and months, not years. The REF coordinates in theater work with the ASCC of the COCOMs to understand their urgent needs, for which the REF acquisition capability may identify, procure, deliver, and sustain solutions to the deployed units. This fiscal flexibility is significant in that it permits the REF to allocate funds against emerging threats and requirements in the year of fiscal execution. The REF works directly with Operational Commanders at all levels, but focuses on Brigade level and below to find solutions to identified capability gaps. These solutions may result in procurement of new or existing military/commercial materiel equipment, or accelerated development of a future force materiel solution for insertion into the current force now. The Army Acquisition Executive designated Program Executive Office (PEO) Soldier as the Milestone Decision (MDA) to institutionalize the acquisition authorities in support of the REF and to provide proper acquisition oversight while enhancing visibility of these efforts. The MDA will ensure flexibility and speed focused on the needs of Soldiers serviced by the dedicated REF Program Management Office (PMO). This establishes a formal acquisition - reporting chain that leverages - existing reporting venues, to ensure appropriate ASA (ALT) visibility, oversight, and direction. The REF capabilities cross all Warfighter Function Areas: 1 – Mission Command 2 – Movement and Maneuver 3 – Intelligence 4 – Fires 5 – Sustainment 6 – Protection The REF FY17 RDT&E request $3.259 million (Base) is for system integration, testing and evaluation to support project requirements. The RDT&E funding also provides the REF the flexibility to invest in near-term, innovative solutions. RDT&E funds are necessary in the vast majority of all REF projects. Most importantly, REF requires RDT&E funds to conduct safety certification (testing) for REF provided non-standard equipment before it is equipped to the unit. This critical requirement exists to ensure that the equipment is safe for Soldiers to use and that any risks are known and documented. The REF also requires RDT&E funds to integrate several different COTS/GOTS/NDI technologies into one capability that solves the tougher and more complex problems. RDT&E funds are used to further develop high (>6) Technology Readiness Level (TRL) systems or advanced technologies in conjunction with industry and Other Governmental Agencies (OGAs). Frequently, these technologies only need small amounts of funding in order to help them achieve a maturity level that is suitable to solve deployed U.S. Army Forces problems. The REF requires RDT&E funds in order to modify existing technologies that were developed for one purpose, but now may be suitable to solve another problem. REF will fund deliberate projects in support of technology solution scouting to meet anticipated needs. These efforts measure and identify current technologies and provide capability assessments to TRADOC and other organizations with the intent of informing future requirements. Example efforts that may require RDTE include the following projects: Nano Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Assessment; Carbine Optics; Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Combat System, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C5ISR); Small Unit Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR); Electronic Warfare; Counter Unmanned Aerial System (UAS); Operational Energy; Mission Command; and Force Protection. Mission Description AWG: The Asymmetric Warfare Group (AWG) provides critical operational advisory support globally and rapid solution development to Army and Joint Force Commanders to enhance Soldier survivability and combat effectiveness, continuously assesses the Operating Environment (OE), to defeat current and emerging threats. As such, AWG is uniquely positioned to quickly provide feedback and observations of asymmetric threats back to TRADOC Centers and Schools allowing for the timely adaptation of training, Programs of Instruction and informing capability requirements of future forces. With its theater access, AWG continues to serve in its advisory capacity to assist regionally aligned forces (RAF), support ASCC security cooperation missions, as well as inform Army innovation programs. In times of crisis, the AWG will continue to be a critical combat enabler to Army and Joint contingency force deployments responding to a diverse range of theater threats and requirements.

Document Details

• Document Type: Project
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2017
• Source ID: C08_0603747A_4_2040_PB_2017

Tags

Readers

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

Technology Areas

• Autonomy
• Autonomy - UAVs
• Fully Networked C3
• Fully Networked C3 - Command and Control
• Microelectronics