Innovative Naval Prototypes (INP) Applied Research

Mission — Innovative Naval Prototypes (INP) Applied Res source

The Office of Naval Research (ONR) portfolio includes efforts that solve problems, respond to mission requirements, and perform exploratory research for new and breakthrough capabilities, which will define the future of U.S. Naval forces. Larger in scope, scale, and risk Innovative Naval Prototypes (INP) are selected for their high-payoff and potential to revolutionize operational concepts. Due to high technical risk, INPs typically have long durations with no more than three years between decision points. They mature technologies from a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 2 or 3 to a TRL of 6. As such, INPs require both the Applied Research, detailed in this PE; and Advanced Technology Development (ATD) funding, detailed in PE 0603801N. Developing INPs requires a systematic expansion and application of knowledge to develop useful materials, devices, and systems oriented toward the design and development of prototypes applicable to specific mission area requirements. The efforts funded within this PE translate promising basic research into solutions for broadly defined military needs. These efforts include developing breadboard hardware and algorithms that establish the initial feasibility and practicality of proposed solutions to technological challenges, such as concept exploration efforts, studies, investigations, and non-system specific technology efforts. Applied Research INPs do not develop hardware for service use; rather they provide feeder technology that can be demonstrated in prototypes in the ATD portion of the INP program. Information security concerns preclude full disclosure of project efforts, research activities, and technology development plans within this exhibit. Detailed information will be provided to the Congressional oversight committees. Due to the number of efforts in this PE, the programs described herein are representative of the work included in this PE.

Mission — Full Spectrum Undersea Warfare source

The Full Spectrum Undersea Warfare (FSUSW) Project will develop new technology for offensive and defensive warfare conducted on the seabed, in the sea (i.e. subsea), and from the sea. FSUSW focuses on Theatre Undersea Warfare (TUSW), Joint Targeting and Strike, and Subsea and Seabed Warfare (SSW). There are five thrust areas of FSUSW that are key to enabling Chief of Naval Operations Guidance (CNOG), Distributed Maritime Operations (DMO), and the Commandant's Stand in Force with manned and unmanned warfighting capability. These thrust areas were specifically chosen in direct collaboration with STRATCOM, INDO-PACOM, Fleet and Undersea Warfare Commanders and validated with regular Flag officer engagements. These applied research efforts will enable future undersea weapon systems (e.g., Maritime Strike Tomahawk and ADCAP variants), COCOM campaigns, and operational plans. FSUSW thrust areas include 1) Undersea effectors, 2) Integrated expeditionary subsea system of systems, 3) Multi-Vehicle Torpedo Tube Development System (MVTTDS), 4) Undersea UAV for Over-The-Horizon (OTH) effects and 5) Undersea Launched Devices to enable Commanding Officers and Regional Combatant Commander effects. The five thrust areas are technically and operationally interconnected. The efforts described in this Project address the Applied Research associated with the Innovative Naval Prototypes (INP) Program. These investments represent game changing technologies with the potential to revolutionize operational concepts. They are disruptive in nature, as they would dramatically change the way naval forces fight. Due to high technical risk, INPs typically have long duration but have no more than three years between decision points. They mature technologies from a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 2 or 3 to a TRL of 6. As such, INPs require both Budget Activity (BA) 2 and BA3 funding. The BA3 INP funds are specified in a separate Program Element (PE), 0603801N Innovative Naval Prototypes (INP) Adv Tec Dev in the Undersea Warfare Efforts, Project 3458. Information security concerns preclude fully detailed descriptions of project efforts, research activities, and technology development plans. Specific information on each project and activity will be provided separately to the Congressional oversight committees.

Mission — MASS source

The rising use of air, surface, and sub-surface unmanned and autonomous systems requires a paradigm shift in the development, production, and life-cycle management of these systems in order to gain a competitive advantage against adversarial capabilities as well as allow for fielding of significant numbers (1000's to 10,000's) in an increasingly budget-constrained acquisition environment. The growth in rapid prototyping and additive manufacturing technologies presents an opportunity to capitalize on these advances though applied research efforts focused on scale-up both in terms of rapid production of relevant quantities as well as greatly increasing the physical size of platforms produced far beyond what is currently achievable. Manufacturing of Autonomous Systems at Scale (MASS) efforts will utilize wide range of advanced manufacturing methods combined with adaptive digital design processes with "Design for Low-Cost Platform Attriteability" as a major attribute to avoid the platform cost growths normally associated with exquisite systems development. This also represents the ability to rapidly modify platform attributes based on evolving operational needs and quickly insert into build process without costly retooling. Secondary goals focus on increasing commonality of critical components across platforms and design of these in modular fashion in order to manage supply chain vulnerability. Lastly, the project will look at ability to place manufacturing capability as far forward/afloat as possible to reduce the logistics tail and speed delivery of capability at-scale into the fleet. The activity identified in Project Unit 3461 MASS specifically addresses Applied Research in support of the MASS effort.

Mission — DEALRS source

Adversary Anti-Access and Area Denial (A2/AD) capabilities continue to improve but remain focused on targeting specific US and joint force capabilities. The Deployment and Employment of Autonomous Long Range Systems (DEALRS) project will develop technologies that sidestep, operate below the threshold, or deplete adversary A2/AD capabilities. DEALRS will specifically develop technologies to enable low-cost unmanned systems that can maneuver across theater-level ranges to penetrate, operate within, and launch strikes from within adversary A2/AD system coverage. This project will develop technologies to increase the range and endurance of autonomous systems while maintaining tactically relevant speeds, loiter times, and signatures with low cost. It will also address technologies that enable the marsupial launch of terminal engagement autonomous unmanned systems across all domains from larger and/or longer-range host systems that bring them to the launch area and the associated technologies needed to ensure roboticized and autonomous startup and launch of the marsupial systems without human intervention. The Activity identified in Project Unit 3462 DEALRS specifically addresses Applied Research in support of the INP effort.

Mission — MATes source

Traditionally, the utilization of autonomous systems is either operationally segregated from manned operations or requires a significant amount of human oversight when operating in conjunction with manned assets, which mitigates some of the advantage from using them. The goal of the Manned and Autonomous Teams (MATes) project is to develop autonomic robotic technology and collaborative autonomous behaviors that seamlessly operate across all domains in conjunction with manned units, allowing for real-time adaptation and optimization in a manner that streamlines the element of human interaction needed to share mission goals. This technology will monitor human or manned system teammate state, behavior, mission, and adversary threat status to anticipate and act in a tactically appropriate manner that is predictable, communicable, and trusted by the human/manned teammates and which enables autonomous system optimization in coordination with the human/manned teammate and mission objectives. Intuitive human/autonomous system interfaces will be developed to allow focus on higher-order decision-making tasks by the operators allowing for large numbers of autonomous systems (100's or 1000's) to be managed in support of manned operations. The activity identified in Project Unit 3463 MATes specifically addresses Applied Research in support of the MATes effort.

Mission — Compact Agile Interceptors source

The US Navy lacks both in capability and capacity interceptors that have the ability to defeat complex raids of hypersonic missiles, cruise missiles and surface vessels. The Compact Agile Interceptor INP will use small diameter missiles to achieve a higher packing efficiency. Disruptive seeker technology, which weighs mere ounces will replace wasted pounds of payload weight and allow for higher speed missile interceptors. The seedling will evaluate multiple propulsion technologies including solid fuel ramjets, highly loaded grain propellants, and active throttling of solid rockets. The missiles airframe may be staged to enable the interceptor(s) the greatest agility to overmatch the threat. Multiple warhead technologies will be evaluated including reactive materials, kinetic warheads, and tailorable fragment warheads. The Activity identified in Project Unit 3506 specifically addresses Applied Research in support of the Compact Agile Interceptors INP effort.

Mission — Chimera source

Details at a higher classification

Mission — Curious Orion source

The USN lacks a breadth of tools to find fix and finish high end maritime threats across specific environments and conditions. Curious Orion will develop a unique capability to exploit specific phenomenology produced by submerged bodies in operationally relevant areas that are of specific interest to the U.S. Navy. The Activity identified in Project Unit 3508 specifically addresses Applied Research in support of the Curious Orion INP effort.

Mission — Naval S&T Ops Analysis, Supp & Experimentation Act source

Operational Analysis, Support and Experimentation Activity was established to broaden the spectrum of promising applied research efforts investigated within this Project and to provide additional acquisition oversight, fiscal clarity, and adherence to financial management practices at the Project level. The efforts described in this Project address the Applied Research associated with Innovative Naval Prototype (INP) Operational Analysis, Support and Experimentation Activity efforts that are used to further explore the development of future INP topics and proposals. These efforts evaluate, study/analyze and/or perform any basic applied research-focused investigative experimentation activities which will support the identification of potential INP topics for future investment consideration. The use of Operational Analysis, Support and Experimentation Activity funds can help accelerate and/or create a flexible response to emerging requirements or threats by identifying a potential INP topic for consideration in a more time-efficient and/or effective manner.

Mission — Full Spectrum Information Warfare source

The Full Spectrum Information Warfare (FSIW) effort will develop integrated holistic Counter-C5ISRT capability, techniques and CONOPS to defeat adversarial capacity growth to include the effects of the maritime environment on tactics and effectiveness in order to provide the proliferation of C-C5ISRT payloads on small to large platforms and software to calculate EM propagation and take into account environmental conditions from "DC to Daylight" e.g. from VLF/HF through optical frequencies to optimize both passive and active C-C5ISRT technology use. The efforts described in this Project address the Applied Research associated with concept of a "Seedling". These "Seedling" efforts are short duration applied research efforts to explore technology concepts which have the potential to provide revolutionary and/or disruptive warfighting capability. As a "Seedling" concept matures, a determination is made whether or not a continuing INP effort is warranted or appropriate. "Seedlings" are typically one to two year efforts and use applied research to analyze the feasibility of technology and subsystems to assess if the technologies can be proposed as an INP. They will research lower TRL technologies to explore technology concepts and lay preliminary groundwork for an INP proposal to continue technology development and full-scale technology/operational demonstrations. The Activity identified in this Project Unit specifically addresses Applied Research in support of the FSIW INP effort.

Mission — Decision Superiority source

The Decision Superiority (DS) effort will improve the speed and quality of decisions when conducting undersea warfare activities at the tactical edge that does not require persistent communication reach back. This will be achieved through the development of Decision Aids (DAs) using a holistic Human-Machine-Teaming (HMT) and training approaches and processes to optimize warfighter decisions (e.g. sonar operations, maintenance repair, personnel rotations). The efforts described in this Project address the Applied Research associated with concept of a "Seedling". These "Seedling" efforts are short duration applied research efforts to explore technology concepts which have the potential to provide revolutionary and/or disruptive warfighting capability. As a "Seedling" concept matures, a determination is made whether or not a continuing INP effort is warranted or appropriate. "Seedlings" are typically one to two year efforts and use applied research to analyze the feasibility of technology and subsystems to assess if the technologies can be proposed as an INP. They will research lower TRL technologies to explore technology concepts and lay preliminary groundwork for an INP proposal to continue technology development and full-scale technology/operational demonstrations. The Activity identified in this Project Unit specifically addresses Applied Research in support of the Decision Superiority INP effort.

Mission — Direct-X source

The Direct-X effort will develop space based ISRT with direct downlink into kill chains supporting all domain effects in a Distributed Maritime Operations construct. The focus is on advances in the following lines of effort: P1 - Orchestration, tasking and resilient C3 P2 - Threat prioritized low cost on orbit payloads P3 - On orbit processing and analyitic AI/ML P4 - Direct-to-shooter kill chains P5 - On orbit effects The efforts described in this Project address the Applied Research associated with concept of a "Seedling". These "Seedling" efforts are short duration applied research efforts to explore technology concepts which have the potential to provide revolutionary and/or disruptive warfighting capability. As a "Seedling" concept matures, a determination is made whether or not a continuing INP effort is warranted or appropriate. "Seedlings" are typically one to two year efforts and use applied research to analyze the feasibility of technology and subsystems to assess if the technologies can be proposed as an INP. They will research lower TRL technologies to explore technology concepts and lay preliminary groundwork for an INP proposal to continue technology development and full-scale technology/operational demonstrations. The Activity identified in this Project Unit specifically addresses Applied Research in support of the Direct-X INP effort.

Mission — DMO through IAS source

The Distributed Maritime Operations though Intelligent Autonomous Systems (DMO-IAS) effort will demonstrate IAS teams that can maneuver and close sea denial detect through engage/ assess kill-chains over tactically relevant ranges and extended mission durations, that maintain survivability through avoidance of detection, and that do not rely on vulnerable command and control systems. It will explore novel sensing, autonomy, and communications approaches that can be applied to other Navy IAS programs that enable robust, resilient IAS kill-chains. The efforts described in this Project address the Applied Research associated with concept of a "Seedling". These "Seedling" efforts are short duration applied research efforts to explore technology concepts which have the potential to provide revolutionary and/or disruptive warfighting capability. As a "Seedling" concept matures, a determination is made whether or not a continuing INP effort is warranted or appropriate. "Seedlings" are typically one to two year efforts and use applied research to analyze the feasibility of technology and subsystems to assess if the technologies can be proposed as an INP. They will research lower TRL technologies to explore technology concepts and lay preliminary groundwork for an INP proposal to continue technology development and full-scale technology/operational demonstrations. The Activity identified in this Project Unit specifically addresses Applied Research in support of the DMO through IAS INP effort.

Mission — Echidna source

The Echidna effort will develop additive capability and additive capacity which is classified. It will explore new mine development, to include improved sensing for a highly complex environment and target, improved lethality, endurance and power technologies, cost-effective additive manufacturing subcomponent technologies, and flexible, platform-agnostic engineering design (to include safe & arming device) to allow for novel and adaptable concepts of employment (CONEMP) The efforts described in this Project address the Applied Research associated with concept of a "Seedling". These "Seedling" efforts are short duration applied research efforts to explore technology concepts which have the potential to provide revolutionary and/or disruptive warfighting capability. As a "Seedling" concept matures, a determination is made whether or not a continuing INP effort is warranted or appropriate. "Seedlings" are typically one to two year efforts and use applied research to analyze the feasibility of technology and subsystems to assess if the technologies can be proposed as an INP. They will research lower TRL technologies to explore technology concepts and lay preliminary groundwork for an INP proposal to continue technology development and full-scale technology/operational demonstrations. The Activity identified in this Project Unit specifically addresses Applied Research in support of the Echidna INP effort.

Mission — Hypersonic Technologies source

The Hypersonic Technologies effort will develop technologies that support the unique operational and environment aspects of hypersonic weapon systems. Efforts include: advanced materials; propulsion; stability and control; seekers and sensors; guidance, navigation, and control; and payloads and energetics. The efforts described in this Project address the Applied Research associated with concept of a "Seedling". These "Seedling" efforts are short duration applied research efforts to explore technology concepts which have the potential to provide revolutionary and/or disruptive warfighting capability. As a "Seedling" concept matures, a determination is made whether or not a continuing INP effort is warranted or appropriate. "Seedlings" are typically one to two year efforts and use applied research to analyze the feasibility of technology and subsystems to assess if the technologies can be proposed as an INP. They will research lower TRL technologies to explore technology concepts and lay preliminary groundwork for an INP proposal to continue technology development and full-scale technology/operational demonstrations. The Activity identified in this Project Unit specifically addresses Applied Research in support of the Hypersonic Technologies INP effort.

Mission — Precision Fire Control source

The Precision Fire Control (PFC) effort will develop a fire control architecture that delivers high precision, high update rate guidance solutions to enable cruise missile defense with small, low-cost interceptors and dramatically increase number of interceptors per ship or Expeditionary Advanced Base. It will develop fire control capability for multiple interceptors (missiles and gun projectiles) that contribute to layered defense of surface combatants, expeditionary forces, and homeland protection. Develop PFC-enabled low-cost missile (LCM) based on existing 2.75" rocket components. The Activity identified in this Project Unit specifically addresses Applied Research in support of the PFC INP effort.

Mission — STARDANCAR-M source

The Small Turbofan Augmentor with Rotating Detonation for Autonomous Collaborative Aircraft and Missiles (STARDANCAR-M) effort will add a Rotating Detonation Augmentor (RDA) to small engines, decreasing the burning length: - Autonomous Collaborative Aircraft (ACA) with RDA will keep up with tactical vehicles - Missiles with RDA will achieve higher speeds - Subsonic missiles will have increased evasion capabilities and terminal velocity The efforts described in this Project address the Applied Research associated with concept of a "Seedling". These "Seedling" efforts are short duration applied research efforts to explore technology concepts which have the potential to provide revolutionary and/or disruptive warfighting capability. As a "Seedling" concept matures, a determination is made whether or not a continuing INP effort is warranted or appropriate. "Seedlings" are typically one to two year efforts and use applied research to analyze the feasibility of technology and subsystems to assess if the technologies can be proposed as an INP. They will research lower TRL technologies to explore technology concepts and lay preliminary groundwork for an INP proposal to continue technology development and full-scale technology/operational demonstrations. The Activity identified in this Project Unit specifically addresses Applied Research in support of the STARDANCAR-M INP effort.

Mission — TALISMAN source

The Tactical Autonomous Layered Infrastructure for Spectrum Maneuvers And Networking (TALISMAN) effort distributes sensors across a network of many small, low-cost, high-endurance platforms that provide resilience in a contested environment and use autonomy to enable agile adaptability to threats and changing mission objectives. Innovative airframe designs and controls enable small deck ships to organically deploy TALISMAN sensing & EW networks and engage long-range fires with weapons quality tracks out to 450 NM from the ship. TALISMAN's size allows the ship to carry enough platforms to maintain 24hr coverage. The efforts described in this Project address the Applied Research associated with concept of a "Seedling". These "Seedling" efforts are short duration applied research efforts to explore technology concepts which have the potential to provide revolutionary and/or disruptive warfighting capability. As a "Seedling" concept matures, a determination is made whether or not a continuing INP effort is warranted or appropriate. "Seedlings" are typically one to two year efforts and use applied research to analyze the feasibility of technology and subsystems to assess if the technologies can be proposed as an INP. They will research lower TRL technologies to explore technology concepts and lay preliminary groundwork for an INP proposal to continue technology development and full-scale technology/operational demonstrations. The Activity identified in this Project Unit specifically addresses Applied Research in support of the TALISMAN INP effort.

Mission — Congressional Adds source

Congressional add projects not included in other efforts.

Accomplishments & Planned Programs (15)