Multi-domain Experimentation and Demonstration Venues
Abstract
Agile and flexible experimentation and demonstration capabilities and venues that support the National Defense Strategy’s priority to increase the rate of innovation and enable Service, Combatant Command, and Agency user evaluation of emerging novel technologies in relevant environments. Demonstration venues include the Thunderstorm venue for small and non-traditional businesses; the Stiletto maritime technology platform; and, other tailored multi-domain venues and ad-hoc demonstrations. These experimentation and demonstration venues support the rapid discovery and transition of emerging technologies across the range of military operations. The venues provide the Department of Defense (DoD) and interagency partners with an opportunity to identify and evaluate new and emerging technologies both from commercial and government sectors through a series of technology demonstrations, experiments, vignettes, and related activities. The venues also offer a streamlined experimentation and demonstration process that encourages system developers to engage directly with the warfighter. These engagements enable rapid innovation and adoption of new technologies to meet operational needs through the exploration of military utility, and identification of potential risks of emerging technologies. In FY 2020, Thunderstorm, Stiletto, and other venues conducted ten demonstration and experimentation events which featured 187 innovative technologies from focus areas including, near-field communications systems, machine learning on unmanned systems, and cyber security on maritime vessels. Seven of the technologies transitioned directly to DoD operational users or were leveraged by formal programs of record, including, vertical takeoff and landing unmanned autonomous vehicles (UAVs), virtual reality training for aircrew, and a sense-through the-wall radar system. The demonstration and experimentation venues also provided 72 small businesses and non-traditional innovators with warfighter feedback critical to rapidly mature their technologies into viable prototypes. In FY 2021, Multi-domain Experimentation and Demonstration Venues transfers to the Defense Modernization and Prototyping (DM&P) Program Element, 0603338D8Z.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Accomplishment
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2022
- Source ID
- cca3dd49371d026466fb9e78857bc79d