The Pentagon announced yesterday its new starts for the 2007 Joint Capability Technology Demonstration program. The program has morphed this year from the Advanced Capability Technology Demonstration program to the current Joint one, which emphasizes a needs-based approach over a gee-wiz, look what we found model where the Pentagon pushes the new technologies on the services.
There have definitely been some good products emerging from this program including laser-resistant eyewear and helmet visors and its encouraging to see some useful ideas earning the DoD cash once again.
Fiscal 2007 New Starts:
Tactical Service Provider (TSP) - Mobile, wireless high-throughput broadband connections over long distances
Mapping the Human Terrain (MAP-HT) - Visualization of socio-cultural information
Joint Multi-Mission Electro-Optical System (JMMES) - Counter camouflage, concealment, and deception
Smart Threads Integrated Radiation Sensors (STIRS) - Radiation sensors for state-of-the-art maritime interdiction and battlefield radiation detection
Maritime Automated Supertrack Enhanced Reporting (MASTER) - Enhanced maritime tracking
Internet Protocol Router In Space (IRIS) - Satellite internet resource allocation capabilities
Coalition Mobility System (CMS) - Rapid access to and coordination of coalition movements
There were also three later Fiscal 2006 New Starts:
Coalition Joint Spectrum Management Planning Tool (CJSMPT) - Radio frequency coordination
Regional Maritime Awareness Capability (RMAC) - Collaborative surface vessel location and tracking for ungoverned maritime environments
Focused Lethal Munition (FLM) - Collateral damage minimization using precision-guided weapon
For the full gouge on all the programs, check out the Pentagons JCTD site.
-- Christian
