Advanced Research

PWS contains non-headquarters management costs in support of MDA functions and activities across the entire Missile Defense System. These functions include Government Civilians and Contract Support Services. This effort provides integrity and oversight of the Missile Defense System as well as supports MDA in the development and evaluation of technologies that will respond to the changing threat. Additionally, PWS includes personnel to support global deployments performing deployment site preparation and activation, and provides facility capabilities for MDA Executing Agent locations worldwide. Other MDA wide costs include: physical and technical security; civilian drug testing; audit readiness; the STEM program; legal services and settlements; travel and agency training; office, equipment, vehicle, and warehouse leases; utilities and base operations across multiple geographic locations; commercial and ancillary facility services; management of all facility aspects regardless of lifecycle stage; supplies and maintenance; compliance with statutory environmental requirements; data and unified communications support; materiel and readiness and central property management of equipment; the FSRM program to keep the Department's inventory of facilities in good working order; and similar operating expenses. PWS is allocated on a pro-rata basis across most Agency PEs and therefore fluctuates per PE by FY based on the total Agency budget in that FY. Specific and/or unique accomplishments to each FY are as follows:

This activity funds technology and research initiatives executed through continuous cycles of development, maturation, assessment of component technologies and prototypes identified by emerging weapon and sensor system concepts. Recurring tasks include: - Conduct systems engineering, integration, research, and material solution analysis to identify initiatives and disruptive technology to include missiles, sensors, and command and control components in the defense against current and future threats. - Provide assessment and maturation of critical technologies to address future threat capabilities. - Pursue advanced technology investments for defense against ballistic and non-ballistic hypersonic threats. - Develop breakthrough technology and innovative solutions from private industry, qualified accredited educational institutions, and non-profit organizations to include: -- Additive manufacturing technology initiatives for interceptor propulsion and structural components. -- Materials development, assessment, and processing techniques. -- Advanced threat component technologies. -- Electro-optical and infrared sensor and communication systems. -- Radar and radio frequency communication systems. -- Interceptor and space systems component technologies. -- Left through right of launch integration. -- Red Long Range Kill Chain Defeat Capability. -- Multi-Domain Missile Defense Technology Enhancements. - Assess and evaluate advanced technology investments to extract risk-reduction information and determine transition feasibility. - Leverage the Broad Agency Announcement to address breakthrough technologies and innovative solutions from private industry, qualified accredited educational institutions, and non-profit organizations to include: -- Artificial intelligence related to machine learning, big data, and Decision Theory. -- Computer Science, Signal and Data Processing. -- Directed energy technology. -- Future Missile Defense System concept development. -- Kill Web Algorithms, Probability and Decision Theory. -- Modeling and simulation. -- Optical, infrared, radar and radio frequency sensor systems. -- Phenomenology. -- Develop prototypes to validate new technologies and obtain early feedback from the warfighter. - Utilize NanoSat technology demonstrations and sounding rockets to conduct maturation testing and reduce risk for new and advanced technologies for the Missile Defense System. - Continue to assess incoming innovative technology white papers and pursue awards for those that align with Agency priorities and budget, emphasizing component technologies that address advanced threat challenges. - Leverage university research opportunities including allied nations to enhance Missile Defense System advanced technology initiatives and build stronger relationships with allies and partners. Specific and/or unique accomplishment to each FY are as follows: