Rapid Reaction Fund

Abstract

The Quick Reaction Special Projects (QSRP) Program supports four separate projects that provide rapid funding to expedite development and transition of new prototypical technologies to the warfighter. The QSRP Program provides the flexibility to mitigate emerging threats and addresses needs that arise outside the two-year budget cycle. The Rapid Reaction Fund (RRF) is fully executed through the Rapid Reaction Technology Office (RRTO). RRTO was established to accelerate the development and transition of high-potential science and technology (S&T) projects into operationally useful prototypes in the execution years. The RRTO: leverages the Department of Defense (DoD) S&T base and those of the other federal departments, academia, and industry; stimulates interagency coordination and cooperation; accelerates the fielding of prototypical capabilities and concepts to counter emerging threats; and, provides feedback to the S&T community to guide long term developmental strategies. With projects supporting each Department/Combatant Command (COCOM) priorities with a global perspective, RRTO anticipates adversaries' exploitation of technology, including available and emerging commercial capabilities. Prototypes delivered by RRTO provide cost effective capabilities to operational users faster than the typical acquisition cycle. In prior years, RRTO has explored methods and approaches of persistent surveillance for counter-insurgency; developed alternate power sources for sensors and systems; provided low-cost capabilities for small-footprint operations; expanded human, social, and cultural knowledge; increased small unit situational awareness; advanced the interface between law enforcement and military operations; developed advanced biometrics and forensics capabilities; supported denied area operations; performed strategic multi-layer assessments; and, established an innovation outreach cell that facilitates better interactions with small companies developing emerging technologies that do not normally do business with the DoD. In FY 2016, RRTO will continue to explore new and emerging capabilities to support irregular warfare operations in support of the Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition, Technology & Logistics), the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Research and Engineering), and the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (Emerging Capability & Prototyping) goals. With project selection occurring during the execution year, the RRTO's potential focus areas for FY 2016 projects include: capabilities to operate in denied areas; navigation in Global Positioning System-denied environments; persistent Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) architectures; ISR sensors; global warming’s impact on operations in the Arctic; novel power sources for unmanned vehicles; interface of law enforcement and military operations; commercial product vulnerabilities and applications; biometrics and forensics science and technology; autonomous operations; data processing, exploitation and dissemination; cyber security; exploitation of new and emerging cell phone technologies; counter-proliferation initiatives; strategic communications and multi-layer assessments; and, non-traditional approaches to leverage innovative businesses. The typical length of an RRTO project falls within a six to 18 month range in order to more effectively respond to the Warfighter.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Project
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2016
Source ID
P828_0603826D8Z_3_0400_PB_2016

Tags

Readers

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

Technology Areas

  • Autonomy
  • Autonomy - UAVs
  • Cyber
  • Space

Related Documents