The Joint Science and Technology Office (JSTO) is inviting submissions for the 2025 Warfighter Engagements as part of its mission to enhance military capabilities in chemical and biological contested environments. The initiative emphasizes early engagement with Warfighters, integrating user feedback during the development of science and technology (S&T) solutions. Three key areas of focus include Technology Concepts, User Assessments, and Advanced Technology Demonstrations, with major events scheduled for April and June 2025 at Camp Shelby, MS, and Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, NJ, respectively.
Participants from government, academia, and industry are encouraged to submit proposals via the Vulcan platform. The submission process includes setting up a Vulcan account, creating or submitting a Scout Card with detailed technical information, and answering collection-specific questions about the technology. The goal is to streamline the acquisition of innovative solutions that meet Warfighter needs and mitigate transition risks. This program reflects the government's commitment to integrating cutting-edge technologies in military operations efficiently.
The document outlines the capabilities sought by the government in addressing chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) threats, targeting the Joint Force's operational readiness against technologically advanced adversaries. It categorizes capabilities into three main areas: Understand, Protect, and Mitigate.
1. **Understand** capabilities focus on near-real-time detection and diagnostics of CBRN threats using sensors and artificial intelligence to inform commanders about current and potential CBRN environments.
2. **Protect** capabilities aim to enhance individual and collective protection from CBRN hazards, utilizing monitoring and adaptive systems that minimize physiological effects and reliance on traditional protective gear.
3. **Mitigate** capabilities emphasize rapid decontamination procedures and medical responses to restore combat effectiveness post-contamination, incorporating automated and resource-efficient methods.
Additionally, the document details specific mission set reference areas for future experiments, including operational strategies for movement, site security, and the utilization of unmanned vehicles in CBRN operations. The overall objective is to advance defenses against CBRN threats and ensure the operational effectiveness of military forces in contested environments. The document encourages the submission of innovative technology prototypes that address these challenges.
The 2025 CB Warfighter Engagements Request for Information (RFI) aims to collaborate with industry and academia to enhance technologies for chemical, biological, and radiological (CBR) defense. Issued by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency's Chemical and Biological Technologies Department, this RFI seeks innovative technologies for participation in three key events: a Chemical Biological Operational Analysis (CBOA) at Camp Shelby, Mississippi, a Concept Tent for early-stage ideas, and the Tenacious Dragon 3 Advanced Technology Demonstration at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey.
The RFI outlines a timeline for submissions, with a closing date of December 12, 2024, and emphasizes the importance of rugged prototypes for hands-on user evaluation. It seeks technologies that aid in understanding, protecting, and mitigating CBR threats, aligning with military operational needs and future capabilities. Eligible sources for submissions include commercial entities, research organizations, and higher education institutions, all of whom are encouraged to provide detailed and proprietary information while noting that submissions are voluntary and not compensated. The initiative aims to optimize technology deployment for the Warfighter, fostering a direct connection between developers and military users to enhance defense readiness in contested environments.
Overall, the RFI reflects the government's proactive approach to developing innovative defense solutions through collaboration and user feedback.