Basic Research for Countering WMD

Abstract

The Basic Research for Countering WMD project, as the nation’s only basic research portfolio solely dedicated to countering weapons of mass destruction (CWMD), is a core strategic investor in future scientific and technological progress across the full spectrum of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency's (DTRA's) CWMD mission areas. This project concentrates on high risk, high-payoff basic research, leveraging world-class expertise in academia, government, and industry, to increase the foundational body of scientific knowledge supporting DTRA’s Applied Research and Advanced Technology Development projects. This project aligns with DTRA’s strategic objectives that support policy and planning guidance from the Office of the President, the Department of Defense (DoD), and the broader WMD threat reduction community. The portfolio addresses this guidance through capability enhancements, projects, and Science and Technology (S&T) investments that support CWMD and reduce global nuclear dangers. Specifically, they include: accelerating the development of standoff radiological/nuclear detection capabilities; researching countermeasures and defenses to non-traditional agents; enhancing nuclear forensics; securing vulnerable materials; developing new verification technologies; developing an in-depth understanding of the capabilities, values, intent, and decision making of potential adversaries, whether they are states, networks, or individuals; defeating WMD agents; researching biologically-based and inspired materials for DoD applications; and leveraging science, technology, and innovation through domestic and international partnerships and agreements. This project solicits, coordinates, and conducts research to build a robust, forward-looking fundamental research portfolio targeting strategic, mission-focused, basic research with high potential impact for CWMD. The research projects are selected for scientific merit, technical quality, and the potential for innovation. Each individual research project offers opportunities to expand the knowledge base to help the warfighter, to bring to bear new science solutions with a fresh approach, or to leverage revolutionary approaches to technical surprise, building a foundation for future CWMD solutions. This research will enable new capabilities to: better understand the environment, threats and vulnerabilities; control, defeat, disable, and/or dispose of WMD threats; and safeguard the force by managing consequences. Each program manager's portfolio leverages a wide range of scientific disciplines, including physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, information and network sciences and focuses basic research on the CWMD mission.

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Document Details

Document Type
Project
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2019
Source ID
RU_0601000BR_1_0400_PB_2019

Entities

Organizations

  • Toronto Metropolitan University

Tags

Readers

  • Critical Infrastructure Protection in CBRN and WMD Threats.
  • Defense Technology Research and Development.

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