Combating Terrorism Technology Support (CTTS)
The U.S. Department of War (DoW) has launched the Secretariat for Special Operations (SSO) to modernize the oversight and administration of U.S. Special Operations Command and the department’s irregular warfare (IW) capabilities. Directed by Congress, this initiative aims to address evolving global security challenges while preserving decades of operational legacy. A key component of this effort is the transformation of the Irregular Warfare Technical Support Directorate (IWTSD) into the newly named Capability Development and Innovation (CD&I) directorate during FY 2025. While the transition maintains the organization's longstanding commitment to rapid research and development (R&D) solutions and innovation, it incorporates structural updates for enhanced agility and focus across four specialized divisions: Operational Demands and Threat Analysis (ODTA), Irregular Warfare Capability Development (IWCD), Assessment of Prototypes and Experimentation (APEX), and Global Innovation Partnerships (GIP). These divisions bring streamlined processes to threat analysis, capability development, prototype testing, and international collaboration, underscoring a holistic approach to irregular warfare. CD&I maintains the IWTSD’s structure to rapidly fill capability gaps, to include sensitive activity support, force protection and subterranean activities, lethality, information dominance, counter-unmanned systems and unmanned systems, and personnel protection and human optimization. Though this strategic restructuring reflects an intentional modernization effort, it remains a work in progress, with ongoing adjustments to align emerging priorities, refine operational frameworks, and address the ever-changing landscape of global security needs. During FY 2026 and into FY 2027, CD&I will continue to focus its R&D activities to rapidly fill the immediate, emerging, and critical capability gaps for those at the tactical edge to include our nation’s special operations forces, other military operators, intelligence analysts, and first responders. The number of capability gaps CD&I can address are reduced due to the increased cost of incorporating artificial intelligence, machine learning, cyber hardening, and DoW safety testing of prototype systems prior to operational test and evaluation (OT&E).
FY2026 to FY2027 change This decrease is a direct result of the transition of legacy Irregular Warfare Technical Support Directorate (IWTSD) subgroup activities to the newly established Capability Development and Innovation (CD&I) directorate. In FY 2027, ongoing and future research and development related to Advanced Analytic (AA) will be integrated and managed within either the Irregular Warfare Capability Development (IWCD) or Assessment, Prototyping, and Experimentation (APEX) division, ensuring alignment with broader strategic priorities and streamlined resource allocation. While direct funding for this specific subgroup ceases, the underlying capabilities and focus areas are maintained and enhanced through…
FY2026 plans — current year In FY 2026, the Advanced Analytic (AA) subgroup plans to initiate funding for four (4) projects in the area focused on 1) developing key enabling capabilities and deepen interoperability and 2) trusted artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomy, integrated network system-of-systems, microelectronics, and human-machine interfaces. Examples include, but are not limited to: • A capability to generate collision events from a curated Order of Battle (OOB) based on advertising technology (AdTech) data concerning key adversarial nations. • Develop a full package software version of the Exploitable Conditions Model and process, utilizing the existing "paper ECM" to develop an interactive…
FY2025 accomplishments In FY 2025, the AA subgroup plans to initiate funding for five (5) projects in areas focused on 1) developing key enabling capabilities and deepen interoperability, 2) trusted artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomy, integrated network system-of-systems, microelectronics, and human-machine interfaces and 3) develop our warfighting capabilities together with those of our Allies and partners. An example includes, but is not limited to: • An AI-based solution that will detect and plug firewall breaches, and search for compromised data including identification of relevant threat surfaces and dark web sources; automated scanning of identified sources; analysis techniques to identify data dump…
FY2026 to FY2027 change This decrease is a direct result of the transition of legacy Irregular Warfare Capability Development (IWTSD) subgroup activities to the newly established Capability Development and Innovation (CD&I) directorate. In FY 2027, ongoing and future research and development related to Advanced Development (AD) will be integrated and managed within either the Irregular Warfare Capability Development (IWCD) or Assessment, Prototyping, and Experimentation (APEX) division, ensuring alignment with broader strategic priorities and streamlined resource allocation. While direct funding for this specific subgroup ceases, the underlying capabilities and focus areas are maintained and enhanced through the…
FY2026 plans — current year In FY 2026, the Advanced Development (AD) subgroup plans to continue funding five (5) projects focused on 1) building resilience in the cyber domain; 2) developing our warfighting capabilities with Allies and partners; and 3) developing key enabling capabilities and deepening interoperability. These projects include: • A secure development, testing, and assessment environment to facilitate enhanced cyber hardening of IWTSD sponsored capabilities. • A security analysis and reliability evaluation tool that virtualizes target hardware systems and emulates embedded software systems to facilitate penetration testing and vulnerability detection. • A cyber range that simulates advanced persistent…
FY2025 accomplishments Executed under PE0603121D8Z.
FY2026 to FY2027 change This decrease is a direct result of the transition of legacy Irregular Warfare Capability Development (IWTSD) subgroup activities to the newly established Capability Development and Innovation (CD&I) directorate. In FY 2027, ongoing and future research and development related to Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives (CBRNE) will be integrated and managed within either the Irregular Warfare Capability Development (IWCD) or Assessment, Prototyping, and Experimentation (APEX) division, ensuring alignment with broader strategic priorities and streamlined resource allocation. While direct funding for this specific subgroup ceases, the underlying capabilities and focus areas…
FY2026 plans — current year In FY 2026, the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives (CBRNE) Subgroup plans to continue funding 12 projects in areas focused on: 1) Integrated deterrence in close collaboration with our counterparts across the U.S. Government and with Allies and partners; 2) Developing key enabling capabilities, and deepening interoperability; 3) Contributing to a future force that must be lethal, sustainable, resilient, survivable, agile, and responsive; 4) Seeding opportunities in biotechnology, quantum science, advanced materials, and clean-energy; 5) Rapid experimentation, acquisition, and fielding. Examples include, but are not limited to: • Development of a mobile system capable…
FY2025 accomplishments For FY 2025, the CBRNE Subgroup is currently evaluating requirements and proposals and plans to initiate funding 6 new projects focused on: 1) Integrated deterrence in close collaboration with our counterparts across the U.S. Government and with Allies and partners; 2) Developing key enabling capabilities, and deepening interoperability; 3) Contributing to a future force that must be lethal, sustainable, resilient, survivable, agile, and responsive; and 4) Rapid experimentation, acquisition, and fielding Examples include, but are not limited to: • Development of a field-portable instrument for non-contact vapor detection of trace levels of explosives and drugs, at ambient temperature and…
FY2026 to FY2027 change This decrease is a direct result of the transition of legacy Irregular Warfare Capability Development (IWTSD) subgroup activities to the newly established Capability Development and Innovation (CD&I) directorate. In FY 2027, ongoing and future research and development related to Expeditionary Force Protection (EFP) will be integrated and managed within either the Irregular Warfare Capability Development (IWCD) or Assessment, Prototyping, and Experimentation (APEX) division, ensuring alignment with broader strategic priorities and streamlined resource allocation. While direct funding for this specific subgroup ceases, the underlying capabilities and focus areas are maintained and enhanced…
FY2026 plans — current year In FY 2026, the Expeditionary Force Protection (EFP) subgroup plans to initiate funding two (2) projects in areas focused on 1) Gaining and sustaining military advantages, 2) Developing warfighting capabilities together with those of our Allies and partners, 3) Develop key enabling capabilities, and deepen interoperability, and 4) Integrated deterrence with counterparts across USG and Allies and Partners. Examples include, but are not limited to: • A joint project to collaboratively characterize adversary weapons, evaluate simulation tools for predicting their effects, assess risks to key assets, and identify gaps for future research. • A floating system that can automatically deploy and…
FY2025 accomplishments In FY 2025, the EFP Subgroup plans to initiate funding eight (8) projects in areas focused on 1) Gaining and sustaining military advantages, 2) Developing warfighting capabilities together with those of our Allies and partners, 3) Sharpening the Joint Force's technological edge, 4) Develop key enabling capabilities, and deepen interoperability, and 5) Integrated deterrence with counterparts across USG and Allies and Partners. Examples include, but are not limited to: • Classified study on geotechnical data. • Development of a subterranean tactical room clearing marker with additional sensors and communications reach back for force protection. • Development of a nest of attacking drone…
FY2026 to FY2027 change This decrease is a direct result of the transition of legacy Irregular Warfare Capability Development (IWTSD) subgroup activities to the newly established Capability Development and Innovation (CD&I) directorate. In FY 2027, ongoing and future research and development related to Explosive Ordnance Disposal / Explosive Operations (EOD/EXO) will be integrated and managed within either the Irregular Warfare Capability Development (IWCD) or Assessment, Prototyping, and Experimentation (APEX) division, ensuring alignment with broader strategic priorities and streamlined resource allocation. While direct funding for this specific subgroup ceases, the underlying capabilities and focus areas are…
FY2026 plans — current year In FY 2026, the Explosive Ordnance Disposal / Explosive Operations (EOD/EXO) Subgroup plans to continue funding four (4) projects in the area focused on: 1) Integrating data, software, and artificial intelligence efforts and speed their delivery to the warfighter. Examples include, but are not limited to: • Development of a comprehensive and shareable dataset that will include multi-angle photographs and x-ray images of IEDs and IED components to augment future development of artificial based IED threat recognition software. • Development of an EOD/UXO HUD that provides the EOD technician with an efficient and effective means for conducting post-conflict, wide area remediation and clearance…
FY2025 accomplishments For FY 2025, the EOD/EXO Subgroup plans to initiate funding for three (3) projects focused on integrating data, software, and artificial intelligence (AI) efforts and speed their delivery to the warfighter. • Development of an EOD/EXO Heads Up Display (HUD) that provides the EOD technician with an efficient and effective means for conducting post-conflict, wide area remediation and clearance of landmines, unexploded ordnance, bulk explosives, improvised explosive devices (IED)s, and other explosive remnants of war (ERW). The HUD provides the EOD technician the ability to receive information on UXOs, ordnance items, and ERW while operating down range. • Development of an AI software tool to…
FY2026 to FY2027 change This decrease is a direct result of the transition of legacy Irregular Warfare Capability Development (IWTSD) subgroup activities to the newly established Capability Development and Innovation (CD&I) directorate. In FY 2027, ongoing and future research and development related to Human Performance and Training (HPT) will be integrated and managed within either the Irregular Warfare Capability Development (IWCD) or Assessment, Prototyping, and Experimentation (APEX) division, ensuring alignment with broader strategic priorities and streamlined resource allocation. While direct funding for this specific subgroup ceases, the underlying capabilities and focus areas are maintained and enhanced…
FY2026 plans — current year In FY 2026, the Human Performance and Training (HPT) subgroup plans to initiate funding five (5) projects in areas focused on gaining and sustaining military advantages. Examples include, but are not limited to: • A course that provides technical expertise in leading efforts and advising leadership in tactics and training related to robotics and UXS systems for Special Operations Forces. • A small man portable storage device that keeps blood viable for transfusions for 96 hours during combat missions. In FY 2026, the HPT subgroup plans to continue funding two (2) projects in areas focused on 1) gaining and sustaining military advantages, and 2) developing our warfighting capabilities…
FY2025 accomplishments In FY 2025, the HPT subgroup plans to initiate funding five (5) projects in areas focused on 1) gaining and sustaining military advantages, 2) building resilience in cyber and space domains, 3) developing our warfighting capabilities together with those of our Allies and partners, and 4) trusted artificial intelligence and autonomy, integrated network system-of-systems, microelectronics, space, renewable energy generation and storage, and human-machine interfaces. Examples include, but are not limited to: • A toolkit to support Tactical Information Operations (TIO) that would allow government operators to demonstrate and practice the full cyber kill chain using non-open-source tools. • A…
FY2026 to FY2027 change This decrease is a direct result of the transition of legacy Irregular Warfare Capability Development (IWTSD) subgroup activities to the newly established Capability Development and Innovation (CD&I) directorate. In FY 2027, ongoing and future research and development related to Influence and Information Capabilities (I2C) will be integrated and managed within either the Irregular Warfare Capability Development (IWCD) or Assessment, Prototyping, and Experimentation (APEX) division, ensuring alignment with broader strategic priorities and streamlined resource allocation. While direct funding for this specific subgroup ceases, the underlying capabilities and focus areas are maintained and…
FY2026 plans — current year In FY 2026, the Influence and Information Capabilities (I2C) subgroup plans to initiate funding four (4) projects in areas focused on 1) integrating data, software, and artificial intelligence (AI) efforts and speed their delivery to the warfighter, 2) sustaining and strengthening U.S. deterrence, with the People's Republic of China as the pacing challenge, and 3) Develop new capabilities, including long-range strike, undersea, hypersonic, and autonomous systems, and improve intelligence and information sharing, and the integration of non-kinetic tools. Examples include, but are not limited to: • Designing, testing, and evaluating a tool with the capability to precisely deliver small…
FY2025 accomplishments In FY 2025, the I2C subgroup plans to initiate funding five (5) projects in areas focused on 1) integrating data, software, and artificial intelligence (AI) efforts and speed their delivery to the warfighter, and 2) sharpening the Joint Force’s technological edge. Examples include, but are not limited to: • Developing large-scale online video collection, processing, exploitation and analysis to rapidly characterize and locate video content for identification and understanding of narrative emergence and change. • Developing, enhancing and leveraging an AI tool that transforms the DoD's Psychological Operations (PSYOP) process by increasing the precision, scale, and speed of Operations in the…
FY2026 to FY2027 change This decrease is a direct result of the transition of legacy Irregular Warfare Capability Development (IWTSD) subgroup activities to the newly established Capability Development and Innovation (CD&I) directorate. In FY 2027, ongoing and future research and development related to Protection, Survivability, and Recovery (PSR) will be integrated and managed within either the Irregular Warfare Capability Development (IWCD) or Assessment, Prototyping, and Experimentation (APEX) division, ensuring alignment with broader strategic priorities and streamlined resource allocation. While direct funding for this specific subgroup ceases, the underlying capabilities and focus areas are maintained and…
FY2026 plans — current year In FY 2026, the Protection, Survivability, and Recovery (PSR) subgroup plans to continue funding six (6) projects in areas focused on 1) integrated deterrence means using every tool at the Department's disposal, in close collaboration with our counterparts across the U.S. Government and with Allies and partners, 2) gaining and sustaining military advantages, and 3) sharpening the Joint Force's technological edge. Examples include, but are not limited to: • Develop a UAS platform that can detect UAS up and down links that will utilize seeker aided guidance to interdict adversary UAS or the remote operator with a lethal payload. • Develop a tactical range force protection HPM system with…
FY2025 accomplishments For FY 2025, the PSR Subgroup plans to initiate funding nine (9) projects in areas focused on 1) developing our warfighting capabilities together with those of our Allies and partners, 2) developing key enabling capabilities, and deepen interoperability, 3) fueling research and development for advanced capabilities, including directed energy, hypersonics, integrated sensing, and cyber, and 4) trusted artificial intelligence and autonomy, integrated network system-of-systems, microelectronics, space, renewable energy generation and storage, and human-machine interfaces. Examples include, but are not limited to: • Developing a radar lock-and-track dual-capability combined with a remote weapon…
FY2026 to FY2027 change This decrease is a direct result of the transition of legacy Irregular Warfare Capability Development (IWTSD) subgroup activities to the newly established Capability Development and Innovation (CD&I) directorate. In FY 2027, ongoing and future research and development related to Surveillance, Collection and Operations Support (SCOS) will be integrated and managed within either the Irregular Warfare Capability Development (IWCD) or Assessment, Prototyping, and Experimentation (APEX) division, ensuring alignment with broader strategic priorities and streamlined resource allocation. While direct funding for this specific subgroup ceases, the underlying capabilities and focus areas are…
FY2026 plans — current year In FY 2026, the Surveillance, Collection, and Operations Support (SCOS) Subgroup plans to initiate thirteen (13) projects in areas focused on: 1. Gain and sustain military advantages; 2. Developing our warfighting capabilities together with those of our Allies and partners; 3. Improving the speed and accuracy of detection and targeting; 4. Information and Decision Advantage;.5. Command, Control, Communications and Computer Systems; 6. Information and Decision Advantage; 7. Key Operational Problems; and 8. Integrated Electronic Warfare and Directed Energy. Examples include, but are not limited to: • A project to develop a concealable and water-resistant system capable of collecting and…
FY2025 accomplishments In FY 2025, the SCOS Subgroup plans to initiate thirteen (13) projects in areas focused on: 1. Command, Control, Communications and Computer Systems; 2. Information and Decision Advantage; 3. Key Operational Problems; and 4. Integrated Electronic Warfare and Directed Energy. Examples include, but are not limited to: • A classified project to improve the ability to detect and locate integrated air defense systems. • A classified project to develop methods to develop microchips that determine geographic location, navigation, and timing with using GPS. • A classified project to develop technology to mitigate and misattribute the identification and use of human signatures. • A classified…
FY2026 to FY2027 change This decrease is a direct result of the transition of legacy Irregular Warfare Capability Development (IWTSD) subgroup activities to the newly established Capability Development and Innovation (CD&I) directorate. In FY 2027, ongoing and future research and development related to Tactical Offensive Support (TOS) will be integrated and managed within either the Irregular Warfare Capability Development (IWCD) or Assessment, Prototyping, and Experimentation (APEX) division, ensuring alignment with broader strategic priorities and streamlined resource allocation. While direct funding for this specific subgroup ceases, the underlying capabilities and focus areas are maintained and enhanced…
FY2026 plans — current year In FY 2026 the Tactical Offensive Support (TOS) Subgroup plans to initiate six (6) new projects in areas focused on increasing lethality and enhancing survivability by: 1. Sharpening the Joint Force's technological edge; 2. Contributing to a future force that must be lethal, sustainable, resilient, survivable, agile, and responsive; 3. Gaining and sustaining military advantages; 4. Development of key enabling capabilities and deepening interoperability, and 5. Developing our warfighting capabilities together with those of our Allies and partners. These projects are: • An advanced, cyber-hardened, AI-enabled scalable and modular drone kit. • An armor piercing incendiary round with greater…
FY2025 accomplishments In FY 2025, the TOS Subgroup plans to initiate funding for three (3) projects in areas focused on increasing lethality by: 1. Development of key enabling capabilities and deepening interoperability; 2. Contributing to a future force that must be lethal, sustainable, resilient, survivable, agile, and responsive. • A next-generation lightweight machine gun tripod that facilitates rapid emplacement, increased accuracy with improved traverse and elevation, reduces overall operational load and is compatible with all current and future weapons platforms. • Initiate development of a lightweight, multi-barrel electric machine gun capable of gaining immediate local fire superiority with variable…
FY2027 planned work Establish a functional framework for planning, executing, and evaluating prototypes and software developed assessments under Secretariat for Special Operations (SSO) Capability Development and Innovation (CD&I), supporting SOF and partner force capability integration. • Integrate prototypes into recurring global test events. • Align assessment events with the IWCD project development cycle. • Build partnerships and expand networks with partner nations in collaboration with GIP. • As necessary, facilitate live demonstrations and structured data collection reports to inform acquisition or refinement. • Conduct algorithm and software evaluations.
FY2026 to FY2027 change This increase is a direct result of the transition of legacy Irregular Warfare Capability Development (IWTSD) subgroup activities to the newly established Capability Development and Innovation (CD&I) directorate and the strategic realignment of R&D efforts within the IWCD and APEX divisions. The consolidation of resources previously allocated to individual subgroups allows for a more integrated and efficient approach to capability development and experimentation. This includes the absorption of key focus areas from legacy subgroups, ensuring the continued advancement of critical capabilities for U.S. Special Operations Forces, other military operators, intelligence analysts, and first…
Establish a functional framework for planning, executing, and evaluating prototypes and software developed assessments under Irregular Warfare Capability Development (IWTSD), supporting SOF and partner force capability integration. • Integrate prototypes into recurring global test events. • Align assessment events with the IWCD project…
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