Advanced Concepts and Performance Assessment

The Advanced Concepts and Performance Assessment program, identified as Program Element (PE) 0603176BR in the Department of Defense budget, is managed by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA). This program is primarily focused on research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) activities that support the assessment of advanced technologies and concepts related to countering weapons of mass destruction (CWMD) and addressing emerging threats. The program was established following the transfer of the National Assessment Group (NAG) from the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition & Sustainment (OUSD(A&S)) to DTRA, aligning similar missions for greater efficiency and effectiveness.

The main goal of the Advanced Concepts and Performance Assessment program is to provide rapid, secure, and independent assessments of critical and unique technologies. These assessments support not only the Military Services but also other government agencies and DTRA itself. By offering independent reviews and analyses, the program ensures that operational assessments, capability demonstrations, and test events are thoroughly evaluated for their effectiveness in countering WMD and responding to new and evolving threats.

Within this program, the Project RR: CWMD Test and Evaluation line item is a key component. Project RR is responsible for conducting independent assessments, analyses, reviews, and capability demonstrations, as well as organizing and evaluating test events. The objective is to validate the performance and operational utility of technologies and capabilities intended for CWMD missions. This includes providing unbiased feedback to inform decision-making processes regarding the development, acquisition, and deployment of new systems.

The National Assessment Group (NAG) plays a central role in the execution of these objectives. NAG's mission is to deliver rapid and independent evaluations of technologies, ensuring that the Department of Defense and its partners have reliable information when considering the adoption or further development of critical capabilities. NAG's assessments are particularly valuable in areas where emerging threats or novel technologies require timely and objective analysis to inform policy and operational decisions.

A significant justification for this program is the need for independent, third-party validation of technologies that are crucial for national security, especially in the context of CWMD. The assessments provided by this program help to mitigate risks associated with the integration of new technologies and ensure that only the most effective and reliable solutions are pursued. This is particularly important given the rapidly changing nature of threats and the complexity of the technologies involved.

As of FY 2025, funding for Project RR under PE 0603176BR was realigned to Project RR in PE 0603160BR. This administrative move was intended to better integrate the activity into the broader RDT&E portfolio, enhancing coordination and oversight. The program's accomplishments and planned activities for FY 2024 reflect its ongoing commitment to rigorous testing and evaluation in support of CWMD objectives.