Technology Maturation Initiatives

Technology Maturation Initiatives is a part of the Research, Development, Test & Evaluation budget activity for the Army and falls under the Advanced Component Development & Prototypes category. The specific goal of this program is to fund the Technology Maturation Initiative (TMI), which aims to mature and integrate component technologies into early system and sub-system experimental prototypes for demonstration in relevant environments and tactical/operational scenarios. The initiative focuses on streamlining the development and insertion of mature technologies that support advanced ground systems, aviation systems, command, control, communication and reconnaissance systems and equipment, precision and hypersonic weapons, navigation and situational awareness systems, and Soldier equipment. It also provides a mechanism for incorporating innovative technologies and advanced capabilities in the early stages of acquisition program planning.

The Technology Maturation Initiative takes emerging Science and Technology (S&T) Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6 products to a goal of TRL 7, integrating them into technology demonstrators and experimental prototypes that meet existing Program of Record (PoR) requirements and reduce the risk of technology insertion for future acquisition programs. The program also partners with academia, small non-traditional companies, and the defense industrial base to incubate ideas, stage pilot evaluations, and ensure more rapid integration and prototyping of innovative solutions into Army systems. Additionally, it provides a tiered evaluation and feasibility application of innovation and disruptive technologies to Army capability gaps at any stage in a technology's lifecycle. The project teams are comprised of both Science and Technology Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) and PoR technical leads to develop the project concept, execute the program, fabricate and evaluate the prototype, and develop the acquisition plan for incorporating the technology into the PoR upon successful evaluation of the prototype.

Approved Technology Maturation Initiative projects are typically 2-4 years in duration and are budgeted under various projects such as AX3, AX5, AX8, AX9, AY2, and CE4. These projects are consistent with the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering priority focus areas and the Army Modernization Strategy. The work in this program is performed by Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology and the Army Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) Enterprise.

In summary, Program PE 0604115A aims to advance technology readiness levels by integrating emerging technologies into experimental prototypes that meet existing Program of Record requirements while reducing future acquisition program risks. It also focuses on partnering with various entities to incubate innovative ideas for rapid integration into Army systems.