Counter Improvised-Threat Advanced Studies

The Counter Improvised-Threat Advanced Studies program, as outlined in Program Element (PE) 0602134A, is a research and development initiative managed by the United States Army under the Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) appropriation. The primary objective of this program is to advance applied research into novel methods for detecting and defeating improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and related emerging threats. The program is executed in coordination with the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (USD(R&E)) and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA). This ensures alignment with Department of Defense (DoD) priority focus areas and the Army Modernization Strategy.

The program is managed by the Command, Control, Computers, Communications, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C5ISR) Center. Research is conducted by several Army organizations, including the Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM), the Army Artificial Intelligence Integration Center (AI2C), the Engineering Research and Development Center, the Space and Missile Defense Technical Center, and the Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences. Oversight is provided by the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology for Research and Technology (DASA R&T).

Within this program, the project focuses on investigating and developing technologies in physics, chemistry, biology, and computer science to improve detection and defeat capabilities for current and emerging IED threats. The project aims to increase standoff detection distances, enhance the probability of positive identification, and reduce false indications in operational environments. Research efforts are informed by technology trends across the DoD and analysis of actual IED threats encountered in field operations.

A major line of effort under this project is the investigation and development of Electro-Optical, Infrared, and Radio Frequency (RF) techniques for detecting buried IEDs and their components. The program also focuses on developing advanced data processing and data fusion techniques to improve the detection of partially hidden IEDs. Additionally, the project explores wide bandwidth electronics to counter radio-controlled IEDs and investigates electromagnetic and bulk detection technologies for identifying personnel and vehicle-borne explosive threats.

In fiscal year 2025, the program will continue to advance these detection technologies, with specific emphasis on maturing EO, IR, and RF techniques and optimizing data fusion for enhanced identification of hidden IEDs under various environmental conditions. The validation of electromagnetic and bulk explosive detection technologies will be a key objective, particularly for personnel and vehicle-borne threats. The program also plans to investigate new techniques to counter future radio-controlled IED threats, especially in complex electromagnetic environments.

Funding for the program is projected to remain stable, with a slight increase in FY 2026 due to economic assumptions. There are no associated acquisition strategies or other program funding summaries, as this is a research-focused effort rather than a procurement or acquisition initiative. Congressional adjustments in recent years have been minimal, with only minor reductions and transfers noted.