Counter Weapons OF MASS Destruction Advanced Technology Development

The Counter Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) Technologies and Capabilities Development project develops advanced technologies and weapon concepts and validates their applicability to CWMD. Research encompasses the following areas: Defeat Technologies supports Combatant Commands through research, development, and transition of offensive weapons and other capabilities to counter Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) while mitigating collateral contamination effects. Enable rapid capability delivery supports urgent warfighter operational requirements in countering WMD and emerging threats, often below the level of armed conflict. This research develops and delivers urgent CWMD capabilities to provide Combatant Commands a competitive advantage against WMD-capable adversaries with a focus on innovative, agile, achievable, and effective technology solutions for DoW sensitive and classified programs, Combatant Command hybrid warfare support, and competition below the level of armed conflict. Counter emergent threat technologies research develops and transitions a full spectrum of new technologies to counter emergent WMD threats providing combatant commanders improved offensive capabilities in support of near-peer emerging threats and counter-proliferation missions that combat weapons of mass destruction. This research supports the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) in two areas: (1) counter proliferation research is a collaborative effort to develop advanced, warfighter-unique technologies to defeat WMD development and acquisition pathways, to include defeat of the devices themselves, while minimizing risks to U.S. forces; and (2) counter emerging threats concepts and technologies to integrate and synchronize activities that prevent violent extremist organizations and rogue nation states from developing, acquiring, proliferating, or using WMD. This effort supports Commander, USSOCOM responsibilities under the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Unified Command Plan. Counterforce technologies research develops, integrates, demonstrates, and transitions advanced sensors, surveillance, and target defeat planning technologies to enable the warfighter to hold WMD-related targets at risk. There are three core research efforts in this project: Technical Reconnaissance; CWMD Weapons Effects; and, Applied CWMD Computational, Physical and Life Science Research.

The Nuclear Technologies and Capabilities Development project encompasses the following areas: RDT&E to identify, develop, and exploit signatures associated with nuclear threats in support of U.S. capabilities that detect and interdict such threats; and locate, identify, and track special nuclear material and improve detection factors such as range, time, sensitivity, and accuracy to enhance Service and Special Mission Unit capabilities. These efforts support Department of War (DoW) requirements for countering terrorism, counter proliferation, nonproliferation, countering rogue states, and homeland defense. RDT&E to systematically study signatures associated with adversary nuclear programs and nuclear detonations to gain knowledge or understanding necessary to: determine technical capabilities needed to improve DoW contingency planning activities; improve DoW situational awareness on the nuclear battlefield; and improve capabilities to attribute the source of a nuclear detonation. Research and develop innovative technologies for the protection of mission-essential personnel, critical military and national defense capabilities, and associated control and support systems during a nuclear event. Research under this project supports the mission critical systems identified under DoD Instruction 3150.09, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Survivability Policy. System vulnerability research develops nuclear assessment capabilities to support operational planning, weapons effects predictions, and strategic system design. This activity also provides the DoW’s nuclear design and protection standards for new and existing systems, e.g., command and control facilities and aircraft. Key systems include the Nuclear Command and Control System, the net-centric thin-line, and both military and civilian satellites and associated support systems. Experimental capabilities research provides the warfighter with unique x-ray, gamma ray, and electromagnetic pulse (EMP) test capabilities in support of system survivability development, certification, and sustainment. These efforts also support international collaboration, user groups, case study reviews, and the Joint Atomic Information Exchange Group. The human survivability effort conducts research to develop and validate mortality and morbidity models associated with radiological and nuclear weapon effects.

The Counter Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) Cross-Cutting Technical and Information Sciences project provides technical expertise through continuous reachback and quick reaction support to the United States and its allies across the CWMD mission space. The project performs continuous modeling of ad hoc computational analyses on the consequences of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) in consultation with military and civilian planners, warfighters, and first responders. The project also supports international CWMD cooperation by developing technologies and concepts suitable for foreign release.

The Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) Test and Evaluation project provides a unique national test capability for simulated Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) facilities and processes. This capability provides DTRA’s structured and systematic end-to-end test event planning, preparation, management, execution, and data analysis. It also offers test instrumentation (data acquisition systems and optics), scientific analysis and predictions, test article construction, test article/test bed remediation, tunnel mining, architectural and engineering design, systems engineering and integration, and test data management. The project leverages 50 years of expertise in investigating weapons effects and target response across the spectrum of hostile environments that could be created by proliferative nations or terrorist organizations with access to advanced conventional weapons or WMD. Subject matter experts design full and sub-scale testing strategies focusing on weapon-target interaction with fixed soft and hardened facilities to include above ground facilities, cut-and-cover facilities, and deep underground tunnels.