Rapid Prototyping Program
The Rapid Prototyping Program (RPP) develops prototypes to deliver capabilities, inform requirements, and bridge the gap between RDT&E activities and fieldable solutions. RPP facilitates and accelerates joint, cross-cutting prototyping efforts within the Services and Defense Agencies. This program has the agility to select, fund, and implement projects in the year of execution as new opportunities or threats emerge. In consultation with the Service Science and Technology (S&T) executives, selected projects generally receive a single year of funding to accelerate capability transition to Services’ and Agencies’ programs of record. Projects deemed critical by the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering (USW(R&E)), the Joint Staff, and the Combatant Commands receive higher amounts of funding across multiple years. Planned funding supports the Joint Warfighting Concept (JWC), the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering's (OUSW(R&E)) critical technology areas, and Service and Agency needs to enable rapid response to emergent and time-sensitive threats.
FY2025 accomplishments The Terrestrial Electronic Surveillance effort will integrate and demonstrate the developed prototype on an unmanned platform for increased operational utility. Additional details are classified.
FY2026 to FY2027 change Funding decrease in FY 2027 due to the end of the project and transition to Service programs of record.
FY2026 plans — current year In FY 2026, this effort will develop Tactical-zero trust united network evaluator, a purpose-built, standards-based zero trust architecture that meets the unique needs of unmanned platforms and networks, ensuring sovereign data and network access.
FY2025 accomplishments In FY 2025, this effort will modify, integrate, and test a military configured SDN and gateway prototype with configured network equipment modules, software, and firmware for a complete mission performance capability. The prototype will be demonstrated and validated with an expanded network in an operationally relevant scenario.
FY2025 accomplishments In FY 2025, this effort will continue demonstration of the minimum viable radio prototype. MATER will develop and integrate additional tactical radio and data capabilities to enable an interoperable joint mission performance capability. The prototype will be demonstrated and validated in an operationally relevant scenario.
FY2025 accomplishments Complete prototype system development and integrate prototype payload with platform for system live fire test.
FY2025 accomplishments The Swarming Prototype Attack UAS effort will complete development of prototype payloads and will demonstrate integrated system within unmanned aerial systems.
FY2026 to FY2027 change Funding decrease in FY 2027 due to the end of the project and transition to Service programs of record.
FY2026 plans — current year In FY 2026, the effort will expand development and testing of new communications and ISR prototype payloads with the surrogate long endurance UAS and high-altitude test platforms, and will perform military assessment exercises and demonstrations to validate long endurance mission capabilities. These platforms are transitioning to the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps.
FY2025 accomplishments Complete development and testing of three prototype payloads that integrate into surrogate test platforms.
FY2025 accomplishments Identify and assess advanced LSHORAD technologies for testing, and conduct field experiments to evaluate the performance of detection, tracking, and interception systems in various scenarios.
FY2025 accomplishments Integrate and demonstrate a classified maritime capability.
FY2025 accomplishments Integrate and test RAST systems with group 3 UAS in support of BLOS operation.
FY2026 to FY2027 change Decrease in funding from FY 2026 to FY 2027 is due to the project ending.
FY2026 plans — current year Integrate and demonstrate a classified Counter-C5ISRT capability.
FY2025 accomplishments Prototype a classified Counter-C5ISRT capability.
FY2025 accomplishments Develop and demonstrate a classified I&W capability.
FY2026 to FY2027 change Decrease in funding from FY 2026 to FY 2027 is due to the project ending.
FY2026 plans — current year In FY 2026, this project will complete sensor development, warhead qualification, and rocket assisted takeoff improvements, leading to fully integrated demonstrations and experimentation in realistic environments.
FY2026 to FY2027 change Funding decrease in FY 2027 due to the project ending.
FY2026 plans — current year In FY 2026, the project will demonstrate and assess an increased number of fast attack craft platforms and payloads for priority CCMD missions.
FY2025 accomplishments This effort will demonstrate and assess a fast attack craft for priority combatant command missions.
FY2027 planned work Continue Kill Web Interoperability efforts in support of emergent operational gaps in collaboration with the joint Services and CCMDs.
FY2026 to FY2027 change The continuation of funding into FY 2027 supports the program's planned evolution from initial development to prototype field demonstrations, which will begin in Q2 FY27 in collaboration with the joint Services and CCMDs.
FY2026 plans — current year Initiate Kill Web Interoperability efforts in support of emergent operational gaps in collaboration with the joint Services and CCMDs.
Continue Resilient Communications development and integration efforts in support of emergent operational gaps in collaboration with the joint Services and CCMDs.
Read the FY2027 plan →Continue Sensors and Data Analytics development and integration efforts in support of emergent operational gaps in collaboration with the joint Services and CCMDs.
Read the FY2027 plan →Continue Collaborative Multi-Domain Autonomy development efforts in support of emergent operational gaps in collaboration with the joint Services and CCMDs.
Read the FY2027 plan →FY2027 planned work Continue Contested Logistics / Sustainment development efforts in support of emergent operational gaps in collaboration with the joint Services and CCMDs.
FY2026 to FY2027 change The funding decrease from FY 2026 to FY 2027 reflects the successful completion and ramp-down of major prototype field demonstrations in FY 2027. The remaining funds will support the final phase of field testing and analysis for ongoing efforts, which conclude in Q3 FY27.
FY2026 plans — current year Initiate Contested Logistics / Sustainment development efforts in support of emergent operational gaps in collaboration with the joint Services and CCMDs.
FY2027 planned work Continue Weapons Kinetic / Non-Kinetic effects development efforts in support of emergent operational gaps in collaboration with the joint Services and CCMDs.
FY2026 to FY2027 change The decrease from FY 2026 to FY 2027 is due to the closeout of successful FY 2026 Weapons Kinetic / Non-Kinetic efforts and for continued funding of FY 2027 new start efforts.
FY2026 plans — current year Initiate Weapons Kinetic / Non-Kinetic effects development efforts in support of emergent operational gaps in collaboration with the joint Services and CCMDs.
FY2027 planned work Continue Emerging Prototypes and Enablers development efforts in support of emergent operational gaps in collaboration with the joint Services and CCMDs.
FY2026 to FY2027 change The funding decrease from FY 2026 to FY 2027 reflects the conclusion of several major prototype development and demonstration efforts in FY 2026. The remaining funds will support the completion of final prototype field demonstrations, which will end in Q4 FY27, and facilitate the transition of successful technologies to Service partners.
FY2026 plans — current year Initiate Emerging Prototypes and Enablers development efforts in support of emergent operational gaps in collaboration with the joint Services and CCMDs.
FY2027 planned work Continue maturation of test articles and energetic materials, and execute a test series for 3 selected munitions to show improvements in lethality and/or range.
FY2026 to FY2027 change The increase from FY 2026 to FY 2027 is to continue maturation and testing for Advanced Energetics Prototyping and Demonstration.
FY2026 plans — current year Mature and procure test articles and energetic materials, and execute a limited test series for 3 selected munitions to show improvements in lethality and/or range.
Continue the HRCM effort development efforts in support of emergent operational needs in collaboration with Services and CCMDs.
Read the FY2027 plan →