Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering’s Post

The Department of Defense (DoD) recently released its Naval Science and Technology Strategy to help identify and implement a plan of action to accelerate maritime defense capabilities. While there were several key technological areas outlined in the strategy, undersea systems, autonomy, and artificial intelligence (AI) are a few that have already seen some promising advancement. Read more in our latest blog: https://hubs.ly/Q02zwwrp0 #USNavy #maritimeinnovation

The U.S. Navy is preparing to put industry systems through their paces as the sea service looks for new underwater sensors, automated target recognition capabilities and other tools to protect assets and perform other critical missions. Technology Operational Experimentation Event 25.2 is part of a campaign led by the Office of Naval Research-Global that will look at emerging tech to support operational objectives related to “subsea and seabed warfare,” according to a new sources-sought notice. One of the three focus areas will be on capabilities that can monitor and “defend underwater infrastructure and facilities to deny adversary undersea reconnaissance via emplaced devices or underwater vehicles.” That includes sensors and tools for “automated target recognition,” per an attachment to the notice.

Exail and the Revolution in Underwater Defense: Ultra-Deepwater AUV for the French Navy Inspenet highlights the development of the ultra-deepwater AUV by Exail for the French Navy, designed to operate up to 6,000 meters deep. This advanced technology will allow France to protect its submarine infrastructure and ensure maritime sovereignty, a priority within the "France 2030" strategic plan. With innovations such as the Phins inertial navigation system and acoustic sensors, Exail reaffirms its commitment to national defense and security. Read the full news on our website for more details about this innovative project. https://lnkd.in/e7rTP_tQ #Inspenet #TechnologicalInnovation #MaritimeDefense #Exail #MaritimeSovereignty #UnderwaterTechnology #France2030

The Marine Corps’ XQ-58A Valkyrie, a highly autonomous, low-cost tactical unmanned air vehicle, successfully completed its second test flight February 23, 2024 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The XQ-58A provides the Marine Corps with a testbed platform for developing technologies and new concepts in support of the Marine Air Ground Task Force, such as autonomous flight and unmanned teaming with crewed aircraft. The Marine Corps’ continued experimentation with the XQ-58 is sponsored under the Department of Defense’s Rapid Defense Experimentation Reserve program, which accelerates the delivery of capabilities to the joint force. Today’s successful flight is a key milestone in implementing Project Eagle, the service’s aviation modernization strategy in support of broader Force Design modernization efforts. The XQ-58A and other Project Eagle research and experimentation platforms will inform capabilities needed in future conflicts out to 2040. The Marine Corps Warfighting Lab and the Deputy Commandant for Aviation’s Cunningham Group, an internal working group responsible for planning and implementing Project Eagle, played an instrumental role in coordinating across the Department of Defense for support for the flight. This joint collaboration was supported by the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering; the U.S. Air Force’s 40th Flight Test Squadron; the U.S. Air Force’s 96th Test Wing; the Naval Air Systems Command; and the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division’s AIRWorks. This broad team facilitated ongoing research, development, test, and evaluation for the aircraft for its first two flights. #military #defense #defence #militaryleak https://lnkd.in/gVHQ25n8

This document announces an #industryday for the #Submarine Launched #Unmanned #Aerial System (SLUAS) hosted by the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) Program Executive Office Undersea Warfare Systems (PEO UWS). Here's a summary of the key points: 1. Date and Location: August 5, 2024, in Washington, D.C. at CACI, 300 M St. SE. 2. Purpose: To discuss the #USNavy's #SLUAS requirement and procurement strategy for Fiscal Year 2025. 3. Focus: SLUAS All-Up-Round (AUR) support, handling system, and life cycle support functions. 4. Registration: Required by July 29, 2024, with a limit of three attendees per company. 5. One-on-one meetings: Available upon request, scheduled after the main event or in the following week. 6. Security: Attendees must submit a visit request in DISS and bring photo ID. No foreign visitors allowed. 7. Agenda: Includes program overview, procurement schedule, statement of work, system requirements, and Q&A. 8. Classification: Information up to Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) level may be shared. 9. Disclaimer: This is not a solicitation for proposals. Participation is at the attendee's expense and does not guarantee future contract opportunities. 10. Follow-up: Any future solicitations will be announced on the System for Award Management (SAM) website. https://lnkd.in/gCuzsvYZ The document emphasizes that this industry day is for information sharing and feedback gathering, not for proposal submissions or contract awards.

The recent breakdown of the U.S. Navy's challenges in the "Hellscape" provides critical insights into the multifaceted issues facing the fleet today. Resource constraints are significantly impacting the Navy's ability to maintain readiness and modernize its fleet. Budget limitations are creating a challenging environment where prioritization of resources is essential. Technological advancements by adversaries, particularly China and Russia, are rapidly evolving. This competitive environment demands swift adaptation and innovation to maintain technological superiority. Personnel challenges are another significant concern. The Navy is grappling with recruitment and retention issues, making it difficult to maintain a highly skilled and ready force capable of meeting global demands. Operational demands around the globe are stretching the Navy's capabilities thin. The increasing need for naval presence in multiple theaters is impacting overall readiness and effectiveness, creating a strain on resources and personnel. The future of naval operations depends on overcoming these hurdles and adapting to an ever-evolving security environment. The future of defense will be increasingly unmanned, and drone swarms represent a pivotal shift in how nations can achieve security through innovation and strategic ingenuity. **Sources:** https://lnkd.in/gHYJpNMm https://lnkd.in/g6QydeKB

USMC Special Operations 🇺🇸 🇹🇼 🇨🇳 🇷🇺 🇦🇺 🇯🇵 The #Taiwan #Straight will represent the single most important strategical #battle-reservoir of Earth’s entire coming physical #future. (Into the 2100’s) This location is Earth’s highest #flashpoint vulnerability [CHN/USA]. Flashpoints are volatile location dependent #situationals where poor #military decisions between opponents cause a chain reaction leading to #escalation and belligerency. This usually perpetuates open, and then total #war. Crisis #response mitigation and #diplomacy can prevent flashpoints from igniting into conflict, but only intentional coordination and #treatise can sustain peace. ☮️ | 💥 The Taiwan Strait singularly stands as the highest locational #vulnerability for critical #destabilization of our society on #Earth. 🌏 #Peace here, in Taiwan, and continued peace between minor and major #superpowers means avoiding overt global conflict for our countries and communities. This means honest #mitigation, #association, #intentions and #negotiations. - Jon Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) The White House

The U.S. Navy PMA 263 has selected Kraus Hamdani Aerospace to provide the K1000ULE solar-electric VTOL UAS. It will be fielded by the United States Marine Corps Small Unit Remote Scouting System. The Navy ultimately selected the K1000ULE through a comprehensive down selection evaluation process. Once in the hands of the U.S. Marine Corps., the attributes above will enhance the Navy’s capacity to perform Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance operations simpler, faster, and more cost-effective with the ultimate objective of saving lives. Additionally, the Navy will get enhanced long-range communication capabilities enabling continued coverage in denied and contested environments. #military #defense #defence #militaryleak https://lnkd.in/gguDkGE3

The U.S. Navy PMA 263 has selected Kraus Hamdani Aerospace, Inc. to provide the K1000ULE solar-electric VTOL UAS. It will be fielded by the United States Marine Corps Small Unit Remote Scouting System. The Navy ultimately selected the K1000ULE through a comprehensive down selection evaluation process where key capabilities were evaluated. Conducted at a government test facility and overseen by the University of Maryland UAS Research and Operations Center, the following capabilities were evaluated: Once in the hands of the U.S. Marine Corps., the attributes above will enhance the Navy’s capacity to perform Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance operations simpler, faster, and more cost-effective with the ultimate objective of saving lives. Additionally, the Navy will get enhanced long-range communication capabilities to be able to provide continued coverage in denied and contested environments. Fatema Hamdani https://lnkd.in/dhsgteKb

Today in Autonomy: Robots bring light to the dark continent The U.S. Navy has established Task Force 66 in Europe and Africa to integrate uncrewed systems for maritime operations. This initiative, similar to other uncrewed task forces, focuses on adapting to unique regional challenges such as tidal flows and temperature extremes. Task Force 66 emphasizes collaboration with NATO and local partners, aiming for cost-effective and shareable technology solutions to enhance maritime domain awareness and interoperability. #USV #USNAVY #NAVY #UNCREWEDSYSTEM #UNMANNED #USA https://lnkd.in/dNXVc8uT