Cross Functional Team (CFT) Advanced Development & Prototyping

The Cross Functional Team (CFT) Advanced Development & Prototyping program is a key initiative led by the Army under the Rapid Defense Experimentation Reserve (RDER). This initiative aims to accelerate the modernization of military forces through a series of large-scale experiments designed to refine and validate the Joint Warfighting Concept (JWC). The program encourages collaboration among various services, agencies, and international partners to identify and develop "best of breed" capabilities. These capabilities are then tested in operationally relevant, multi-domain environments to ensure they meet the requirements of modern warfare.

A significant component of this program is the Army Experimentation and Prototyping project, which focuses on developing technologies that support joint all-domain operations. The project aims to enhance capabilities in areas such as fires, command and control, logistics, and information advantage. By integrating advanced technologies like artificial intelligence-infused analytics and layered effects, the program seeks to provide innovative solutions that can be rapidly transitioned to combatant commands for operational use. The outcomes of these experiments are intended to inform decision-making processes at various levels within the Department of Defense.

The Olympus project within this program is dedicated to maturing technologies from Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6 to TRL7+ prototypes. These prototypes undergo Soldier evaluations primarily in the Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) region. The focus is on advancing capabilities in sensing, target identification, multi-layer networks, data sharing, and command and control. By facilitating integrated and interoperable capabilities leveraging layered intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), and autonomy with advanced communications architectures, Olympus aims to enhance joint warfighting capabilities.

In addition to Olympus, the Army RDER 24 and 25 programs further develop technologies for Soldier evaluations culminating in Combatant Command (CCMD) assessments. These programs emphasize expeditionary logistics solutions, autonomous platform solutions for resupply and repair, advanced communication systems, and network connectivity for joint service interoperability. Through these efforts, the CFT Advanced Development & Prototyping program strives to deliver comprehensive solutions that address current and future operational challenges faced by military forces.