Combating Terrorism Technology Support

Mission— Combating Terrorism Technology Support (CTTS)

The Irregular Warfare Technical Support Directorate (IWTSD) conducts rapid research and development (R&D) in support of the Interim National Defense Strategic Guidance (INDSG) to provide leap-ahead technologies focused on surpassing current and expected levels of technology used and developed by our adversaries, with China as the pacing threat. IWTSD is mandated and structured to rapidly fill capability gaps, to include increasing lethal capability of U.S. forces at the squad and small unit level; developing lethal drones; countering small uncrewed aerial systems (drones); subterranean detection and operations; novel body and vehicle armor; detecting, protecting against, and mitigating novel and wartime CBRNE threats; telematics; covert communications; and of special interest, the use of machine learning and artificial intelligence to enhance the capability of systems used by the military and lessen the workload on the individual users. During FY 2025 and into FY 2026, IWTSD will continue to focus its R&D activities to rapidly fill the immediate, emerging, and critical capability gaps for those at the tactical edge to include our nation’s special operations forces, other military operators, intelligence analysts, and first responders. The number of capability gaps IWTSD can address are reduced due to the increased cost of incorporating artificial intelligence, machine learning, cyber hardening, and DoD safety testing of prototype systems prior to operational test and evaluation (OT&E). For instance, the focus on increased lethality has driven up costs to meet Defense safety and testing requirements. From a broader perspective, projects remain distributed among 11 mission subgroups: • Advanced Analytics • Advanced Development • Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives • Expeditionary Force Protection • Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Explosive Operations • Human Performance and Training • Indirect Influence and Competition • Innovation • Protection, Survivability, and Recovery • Surveillance, Collection, and Operations Support • Tactical Offensive Support To accommodate shifting emphasis in mission while still operating within budget, IWTSD eliminated the Forensics, Exploitation and Identity Management subgroup and added the Advanced Development subgroup. To place greater emphasis on the Congressionally directed joint RDT&E programs with Israel, 100% of the staff in the Expeditionary Force Protection and the Protection, Survivability, and Recovery subgroups are supporting the subterranean detection and operations and countering unmanned aerial vehicles joint programs. Lastly, the Innovation subgroup was created in anticipation of the Congressionally directed joint RDT&E Emerging Technology program with Israel. Each of the 11 subgroups have enduring R&D partnerships with USSOCOM and its components, the Services, and many Defense agencies. During FY 2024, IWTSD partnered with USSOCOM, the Services, and Defense agencies to transition or commit to transition over 12 products to a Program of Record, provided 42 prototypes to users for OT&E; commercialized 5 products, placed 2 products on a GSA/DLA catalogue, and 13 products are advancing future scientific research. IWTSD’s International R&D program has helped other DoD Components and organizations initiate task plans, which support execution of over about $60 million dollars to rapidly develop and prototype new technology and innovation through collaboration and cost sharing with Israel. While supporting the INDSG by filling capability gaps to address our adversaries, the IWTSD program will continue to identify capabilities to combat terrorism and irregular adversaries, and quickly deliver these capabilities to U.S. Defense, interagency, and international partners through rapid research and development, advanced studies, and technical innovation. IWTSD is unique in its approach, annually obtaining joint requirements directly from major Commands, Services, military operators, intelligence analysts, and first responders, and discussing those requirements with industry before the requirements are released in Broad Agency Announcements (BAA). The FY 2026 Program Requirements Meetings took place in January 2025 and contract awards will begin in early FY 2026. The IWTSD manages approximately 250 new and continuing projects, 170 of which are tied to international task plans, while also reviewing proposals and negotiating contracts for another 40 requirements for the next fiscal year. The IWTSD program, justified in the R-2 exhibit, identifies the projects that are fully or partially funded by Congressional appropriations for the IWTSD program. However, IWTSD also develops technology and provides support using external funds provided by other DoD, federal departments and international partnerships. These external funds are not reflected in this R-2 justification. However, the number of activities does reflect positively on the trust and competence that IWTSD has earned throughout the Department of Defense, its international partners, and other federal organizations to rapidly conduct critical RDT&E and provide innovative products to fill their capability gaps.

Mission— Combating Terrorism Technology Support

The Irregular Warfare Technical Support Directorate (IWTSD) conducts rapid research and development (R&D) in support of the Interim National Defense Strategic Guidance (INDSG) to provide leap-ahead technologies focused on surpassing current and expected levels of technology used and developed by our adversaries, with China as the pacing threat. IWTSD is mandated and structured to rapidly fill capability gaps, to include increasing lethal capability of U.S. forces at the squad and small unit level; developing lethal drones; countering small uncrewed aerial systems (drones); subterranean detection and operations; novel body and vehicle armor; detecting, protecting against, and mitigating novel and wartime CBRNE threats; telematics; covert communications; and of special interest, the use of machine learning and artificial intelligence to enhance the capability of systems used by the military and lessen the workload on the individual users. During FY 2025 and into FY 2026, IWTSD will continue to focus its R&D activities to rapidly fill the immediate, emerging, and critical capability gaps for those at the tactical edge to include our nation’s special operations forces, other military operators, intelligence analysts, and first responders. The number of capability gaps IWTSD can address are reduced due to the increased cost of incorporating artificial intelligence, machine learning, cyber hardening, and DoD safety testing of prototype systems prior to operational test and evaluation (OT&E). For instance, the focus on increased lethality has driven up costs to meet Defense safety and testing requirements. From a broader perspective, projects remain distributed among 11 mission subgroups: • Advanced Analytics • Advanced Development • Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives • Expeditionary Force Protection • Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Explosive Operations • Human Performance and Training • Indirect Influence and Competition • Innovation • Protection, Survivability, and Recovery • Surveillance, Collection, and Operations Support • Tactical Offensive Support To accommodate shifting emphasis in mission while still operating within budget, IWTSD eliminated the Forensics, Exploitation and Identity Management subgroup and added the Advanced Development subgroup. To place greater emphasis on the Congressionally directed joint RDT&E programs with Israel, 100% of the staff in the Expeditionary Force Protection and the Protection, Survivability, and Recovery subgroups are supporting the subterranean detection and operations and countering unmanned aerial vehicles joint programs. Lastly, the Innovation subgroup was created in anticipation of the Congressionally directed joint RDT&E Emerging Technology program with Israel. Each of the 11 subgroups have enduring R&D partnerships with USSOCOM and its components, the Services, and many Defense agencies. During FY 2024, IWTSD partnered with USSOCOM, the Services, and Defense agencies to transition or commit to transition over 12 products to a Program of Record, provided 42 prototypes to users for OT&E; commercialized 5 products, placed 2 products on a GSA/DLA catalogue, and 13 products are advancing future scientific research. IWTSD’s International R&D program has helped other DoD Components and organizations initiate task plans, which support execution of over about $60 million dollars to rapidly develop and prototype new technology and innovation through collaboration and cost sharing with Israel. While supporting the INDSG by filling capability gaps to address our adversaries, the IWTSD program will continue to identify capabilities to combat terrorism and irregular adversaries, and quickly deliver these capabilities to U.S. Defense, interagency, and international partners through rapid research and development, advanced studies, and technical innovation. IWTSD is unique in its approach, annually obtaining joint requirements directly from major Commands, Services, military operators, intelligence analysts, and first responders, and discussing those requirements with industry before the requirements are released in Broad Agency Announcements (BAA). The FY 2026 Program Requirements Meetings took place in January 2025 and contract awards will begin in early FY 2026. The IWTSD manages approximately 250 new and continuing projects, 170 of which are tied to international task plans, while also reviewing proposals and negotiating contracts for another 40 requirements for the next fiscal year. The IWTSD program, justified in the R-2 exhibit, identifies the projects that are fully or partially funded by Congressional appropriations for the IWTSD program. However, IWTSD also develops technology and provides support using external funds provided by other DoD, federal departments and international partnerships. These external funds are not reflected in this R-2 justification. However, the number of activities does reflect positively on the trust and competence that IWTSD has earned throughout the Department of Defense, its international partners, and other federal organizations to rapidly conduct critical RDT&E and provide innovative products to fill their capability gaps.

Accomplishments & Planned Programs (11)