Innovative Naval Prototypes (INP) Advanced Technology Development

Mission — Innovative Naval Prototypes (INP) Adv Tec Dev source

The Office of Naval Research (ONR) portfolio includes efforts that solve problems and respond to mission requirements, as well as, exploratory research for new ideas and breakthrough capabilities. Larger in scope, scale and risk Innovative Naval Prototypes (INP) are selected for their high-payoff and potential to revolutionize operational concepts. The efforts described in this Program Element (PE) continue the Applied Research work in PE 0602792N for promising INPs with Advanced Technology Development activities. INP investments define the future of U.S. naval forces. Due to high technical risk, INPs often have long trial-and-error timeframes to work through challenges, but typically no more than three years between decision points. INP efforts mature technologies from a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 2 or 3 to a TRL of 6. As such, INPs require applied and advanced technology development funding to bridge from concept to working prototype. INPs prove technological and capability potential, validate production feasibility, and acquisition potential. ONR demonstrates INPs in relevant environments. Successful experimentation and demonstrations present the Department of the Navy with disruptive capabilities that may lead to a new acquisition programs. INPs are selected by senior leadership in the Department of the Navy. This Program Element (PE) funds Advanced Technology Development (ATD) that includes development of subsystems and components and efforts to integrate subsystems and components into system prototypes for field experiments and/or tests in a simulated environment. Efforts in this PE generally have Technology Readiness Levels TRL) of 4 (component and/or breadboard validation in laboratory environment.), 5 (component and/or breadboard validation in relevant environment.), or 6 (system/subsystem model or prototype demonstration in a relevant environment). INP 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. INPs do not develop hardware for service use, rather they prove technological and production feasibility, and show naval utility and acquisition potential. The Office of Naval Research (ONR) demonstrates INPs in relevant environments. Successful experimentation and demonstrations present the Department of the Navy with disruptive capabilities that may lead to the obsolescence of existing capabilities and acquisition programs. The Department of the Navy would have to make significant acquisition decisions to integrate the new technological capabilities into naval warfighting systems. INPs are selected by a process that involves senior leadership in the Department of the Navy. 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. Due to the number of efforts in this PE, the programs described herein are representative of the work included in this PE.

Mission — METEOR source

Navy surface combatants have Capability/capacity gaps to defend against high volume attacks in Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD). The objective of METEOR is to demonstrate tactically significant, non-kinetic, High Power Microwave (HPM) payload integration onto Naval platforms to defeat, track, engage and assess operational threats while assessing integrated sensors and weapon control options. The METEOR HPM weapon development will provide capability with low cost-per-shot, deep magazine, tactically significant range, short time engagement for multi-target approach, dual deception and defeat capability. This Innovative Naval Prototype (INP) will assess the military utility of a ship-based Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) HPM weapon, to develop performance requirements via effects and lethality studies, to evaluate current HPM prototype hardware for those requirements, and to mature promising HPM technologies. To assess military utility as part of layered defense in stressing scenarios, METEOR will quantify effectiveness against priority threats, evaluate Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) techniques, and perform mission modeling.

Mission — High Energy Laser Counter ASCM Project (HELCAP) source

The High Energy Laser Counter ASCM Project (HELCAP) will expedite the development, experimentation, integration and demonstration of critical technologies to defeat crossing Anti-Ship Cruise Missiles (ASCM) by addressing the remaining technical challenges, e.g.: atmospheric turbulence, automatic target identification and aim point selection, precision target tracking with low jitter in high clutter conditions, advanced beam control, and higher power HEL development. HELCAP will assess, develop, experiment, and demonstrate the various laser weapon system technologies and methods of implementation required to defeat ASCMs in a crossing engagement. HELCAP activities in this project (0603801N) include technology assessments, laser lethality investigations, and advanced beam control. Component and Subsystem level operability is being conducted under this project specifically the Beam Control subsystem including active tracking and advanced atmospheric compensation using Adaptive Optics. The Beam Director subsystem testing will occur in a simulated environment (land based) against surrogate ASCM targets. Other subsystems being developed and tested under this project include the automated engagement sequencing, HEL targets and diagnostics subsystems, and an HEL interface compatible with a range of competing HEL source technologies. This project passes technology to follow on HELCAP activities under Program Element (PE) 0603925N Directed Energy and Electric Weapon Systems.

Mission — Innovative Naval Prototypes (INP) Adv Tech Dev source

The efforts described in this Project address the Advanced Technology Development 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. INPs do not develop hardware for service use; rather they provide feeder technology that can be demonstrated in prototypes in the 6.3 portion of the INP program. 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 is focuses on continuing the technology development from the BA2 efforts in order to develop full-scale technology/operational demonstrations. The Department of the Navy would have to make significant acquisition decisions to integrate the new technological capabilities into naval warfighting systems. INPs are selected by a process that involves senior leadership in the Department of the Navy.

Mission — ELEKTRA source

Complex multi-domain threats can overwhelm the operator and individual platforms ability to defend the force. The ELEKTRA INP effort is developing "Human on the Loop" Artificial Intelligence (AI) enabled algorithms to perform force level kinetic/non-kinetic kill chain optimization and coordination across multiple domains at machine to machine speeds to increase the lethality and survivability of the Force. ELEKTRA will demonstrate AI/ML ability to coordinate kinetic/non kinetic effects autonomously with heterogeneous platforms, the ability to operate in degraded environments for hours and the ability to coordinate and execute domain kill chains simultaneously. It will deploy artificial intelligent (AI) and machine learning (ML) architecture, neural networked computing and large data handling to enable real time, force level effects assignment, coordination and resource management. The Activity identified in Project Unit 3452 specifically addresses Advanced Technology Development in support of the ELEKTRA INP effort.

Mission — MINERVA source

The need to operate in a multiple domain environment against highly capable peers requires improved decision quality and reduced decision timelines. MINERVA will develop AI and Machine-Learning (ML) capabilities to improve mission planning, intelligence gathering, execution and assessment. Minerva will deliver next-generation decision aids by combining operations research with emerging AI capabilities to create learning, self-adaptive automation that supports Composite Warfare Commander's (CWC) and their staffs at the Fleet, Force and Group echelons. It will establish a DevOps environment that includes warfighter staffs in the development and integration of new capabilities. The Activity identified in Project Unit 3455 specifically addresses Advanced Technology Development in support of the MINERVA INP effort.

Mission — Full Spectrum Undersea Warfare source

The Full Spectrum Undersea Warfare (FSUW) Project will develop new technology for offensive and defensive warfare conducted on the seabed, in the sea (i.e. subsea), and from the sea. This INP focuses on Theatre Undersea Warfare (TUSW), Joint Targeting and Strike, and Subsea and Seabed Warfare (SSW). There are five thrust areas of the FSUW INP 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 engagements. These advanced technology developments will enable future undersea weapon systems (e.g., Maritime Strike Tomahawk and ADCAP variants), COCOM campaign, and operational plans. FSUW thrust areas include 1) Undersea effectors, 2) Integrated expeditionary subsea system of systems, 3) Multi-Vehicle Torpedo Tube Development System (MVTTDS) for payload A, 4) Undersea UAV for Over-The-Horizon (OTH) effects and 5) Undersea Launched Devices to enable Commanding Officers and Regional Combatant Commander effects. The thrust areas are technically an operational interconnected. Selected concepts from advanced research will be integrated into viable representative prototypes for field experimentation in a relevant environment. Lessons learned from field experimentation will inform continued applied research spirals to remedy technical shortcomings, expand capability, or define an alternate approach. The Activity identified in Full Spectrum Undersea Warfare, Project 3458, specifically addresses Advanced Technology Development in support of the Full Spectrum Undersea Warfare INP effort. The Applied Research Budget Activity (BA) 2 funding is in a separate Program Element (PE) 0602792N FSUW INP, Project 3456. 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 — Long Range Targeting source

Long Range Targeting emphasizes the specific naval use of HF Over the Horizon Radar (OTHR) on maritime platforms and forward-based positive identification technologies to fill gaps in long-range fires kill chains. Technologies within this activity will enable integrated long range naval fires. Investments include technologies for OTH radar antennas, HF antenna arrays, signal processing, and electronic surveillance. Activity identified in Project Unit 3457 specifically addresses Advanced Technology Development in support of the LRT INP effort.

Mission — Super Swarm (SS) source

Swarming is a concept that allows for multi-domain, heterogeneous swarms of unmanned systems capable of rendering the counter's ability to scale either inadequate or irrelevant and includes offensive and defensive operations, own and adversarial employment, and a physical battlespace ranging from open ocean to ashore. The Super Swarm (SS) INP effort will develop an autonomous control system for multiple USV's consisting of cooperative task allocation, cooperative route planning/behaviors and shared situational awareness. The Swarm autonomy technology is leveraged by other programs including the Medium Displacement Unmanned Surface Vehicle (MDUSV) and the Autonomous USV FNC program. It will consist of the employment of sustainable large-scale robotic swarm warfare across all domains ahead of our adversaries to obviate costly and vulnerable legacy platforms and to gain a competitive advantage. The Activity identified in Project Unit 3459 specifically addresses Advanced Technology Development in support of the Super Swarm INP effort.

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 technical development and demonstration 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 Advanced Technology Development 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 Advanced Technology Development 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 Advanced Technology Development in support of the MATes effort.

Mission — REDCAT source

Remote Electromagnetic Disruption of Critical Advanced Threats (REDCAT) will demonstrate High Power Microwave (HPM) integration onto Naval platforms for air defense missions. The objective of the REDCAT rapid prototyping effort is to demonstrate that the REDCAT system is able to detect, track, engage, defeat and assess advanced threats to the ship in a maritime environment. This HPM payload capability will supplement and conserve the ships kinetic defensive weapons. In addition to advancing the HPM source and antenna technologies, this program will also enhance sensor systems well as common weapon console with ongoing laser programs. REDCAT will also develop novel Radio Frequency (RF) waveforms to improve HPM effectiveness. When combined with other non-kinetic capabilities and integrated with the ship's command and control (C2), REDCAT will provide a low cost-per-shot, deep magazine capability for significantly expanding the self-defense capabilities of US Navy platforms. Rapid engagement of targets for large threat raid defeat is a major feature of the system. The system will demonstrate full kill chain integration from find to assess. The payoffs for the REDCAT program include integrated non-kinetic air defense systems to improve the layered defense, optimized use of defensive kinetic weapons and improved sensor and control systems.

Mission — Chimera source

Details at a higher classification

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 Proj: 5899 Precision Fire Control (PFC) specifically addresses Advanced Technology Development in support of the PFC INP effort.

Mission — Congressional Adds source

Congressional add projects not included in other efforts.

Accomplishments & Planned Programs (9)