Counter Improvised-Threat Simulation

The Counter Improvised-Threat Simulation program, designated as Program Element (PE) 0603134A, is a research and development initiative within the Army's Advanced Technology Development portfolio. The primary goal of this program is to advance technologies for detecting and defeating improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and similar threat explosive devices. The program is managed by the Army Futures Command (AFC) in collaboration with the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (USD/R&E) and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA). The objective is to enhance the capability of deployed forces to identify IEDs with high accuracy and to neutralize or mitigate their effects while minimizing collateral damage.

Within this program, the central project focuses on the development, maturation, and demonstration of technologies aimed at both detection and neutralization of IEDs. The project is executed by the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM), with significant input from joint service laboratories, industry partners, and academic institutions. Objectives include increasing the rate of advance for deployed forces, improving the identification of vehicle- and personnel-borne IEDs at fixed sites, and ensuring that neutralization efforts do not result in unnecessary harm to personnel or infrastructure.

A key component of the project is the effort dedicated to developing technologies that enable the detection of IEDs from a safe distance. This includes modalities such as electro-optical sensors, radar, light detection and ranging (LIDAR), and atomic magnetometers. These technologies are designed for integration on dismounted soldiers, ground vehicles, watercraft, aerial systems, and fixed installations. The effort also includes the development of networked techniques to detect the electronic signatures of radio-controlled IEDs. The goal is to achieve high detection probabilities while minimizing false alarms from benign sources.

Another significant focus is research seeking to develop and demonstrate technologies for neutralizing IEDs at standoff distances. This involves directed energy sources, kinetic effectors, and protective encasements for both the threat and friendly forces. The effort also explores advanced robotic manipulation techniques for handling IEDs. The objective is to maximize the probability of avoiding the effects of IEDs on friendly forces, thereby enhancing soldier and equipment survivability.

Efforts supporting the broader detection and mitigation mission leverage advancements in data science, including sensor processing algorithms, data integration, analytics, and threat forecasting. These initiatives aim to demonstrate techniques that use operational data and machine learning to predict and attribute IED threats, thereby increasing the probability of early detection and effective response. The integration of these technologies is intended to provide a more comprehensive and proactive approach to counter-IED operations.

Additional work builds upon previous research by maturing and demonstrating advanced sensor and neutralization technologies. This includes optimizing electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR), electromagnetic (EM), and radio frequency (RF) sensors for use on unmanned air and ground vehicles. The program also focuses on validating artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques for autonomous threat detection, and on demonstrating the use of teamed unmanned aerial and ground vehicles to provide multiple perspectives for threat characterization. These efforts are aimed at improving detection and neutralization capabilities in complex and cluttered operational environments.

The program is structured to address current and emerging threats posed by IEDs through a combination of advanced sensing, data analytics, and neutralization technologies. Objectives are closely aligned with operational needs, emphasizing rapid detection, accurate identification, and effective mitigation with minimal risk to personnel and infrastructure. Funding adjustments in FY 2026 reflect a shift in focus due to a reduced number of targets of interest, but the core mission of enhancing counter-IED capabilities remains unchanged.