Warfare Support System

The Warfare Support System encompasses various initiatives aimed at enhancing the capabilities of the Naval Special Warfare (NSW) Branch. The program focuses on identifying and evaluating technologies to address current and future irregular and expeditionary warfare challenges. It aims to fill urgent capability gaps for NSW forces by developing, integrating, testing, and validating technologies to meet operational requirements. Additionally, the program supports the development of expeditionary/operational capabilities that enable NSW forces to conduct joint cross-domain special reconnaissance, counterterrorism, direct action, amphibious and irregular warfare within a 9-36 month timeframe.

One specific initiative within PE 0604230N is the Expeditionary Loitering Munitions Capability Development (Project GOALKEEPER). This project is designed to meet a Geographic Combatant Commander Joint Emergent Operational Need (JEON) by leveraging prior development efforts and pursuing a commercial-off-the-shelf solution with autonomous government-provided software and a government-provided launcher system. The program aims to fabricate hardware units for operational, certification, and developmental testing, complete vulnerability analysis, conduct developmental testing, certification testing, operational testing, munitions qualification, and software validation/verification. It also includes program management activities such as overseeing contractor fabrication efforts and production readiness. The funding allocated to this project is intended to support the final technology demonstration, test articles, operational assessment, safety certification, and full rate production.

These initiatives are critical for enhancing the technological capabilities of the Navy's warfare support systems and addressing emergent operational needs in a timely manner.