Defense Military Deception Initiative

The JOINT MILITARY DECEPTION INITIATIVE is a Navy program element (PE 0303260N) funded under the Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E), Navy appropriation, specifically within Budget Activity 4: Advanced Component Development & Prototypes (ACD&P). The primary objective of this program is to advance the Department of Defense's capabilities in military deception (MILDEC) through targeted research and development efforts. The program is designed to support joint operations by enhancing the effectiveness of deception strategies, techniques, and technologies across multiple domains.

The specific goals of the JOINT MILITARY DECEPTION INITIATIVE are classified and detailed annually to Congress in the classified budget justification books. The unclassified summary indicates that the initiative seeks to develop advanced components and prototypes that can be integrated into operational plans and activities. These efforts are intended to provide the Navy and other joint forces with improved tools for influencing adversary perceptions, decision-making, and actions. This contributes to operational security and mission success.

Within this program element, the principal line item is the MILDEC Initiative, which focuses on research, development, and evaluation of innovative deception methods and supporting technologies. The work is performed by various classified contractors and activities, with the aim of producing actionable capabilities that can be fielded in joint military operations. The initiative emphasizes the importance of integrating deception into broader operational planning and ensuring interoperability with other services and agencies.

The justification for the MILDEC Initiative centers on the evolving nature of threats and the increasing sophistication of adversary intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. By investing in advanced MILDEC technologies and concepts, the Navy seeks to maintain a strategic advantage in contested environments. The program supports the development of new approaches to misdirect, confuse, or delay adversary responses. This enables friendly forces to achieve their objectives with reduced risk.

The acquisition strategy for the JOINT MILITARY DECEPTION INITIATIVE is classified, but it involves competitive awards to various contractors and research organizations with expertise in military deception, information operations, and related fields. The program is structured to allow for rapid prototyping and field experimentation, ensuring that promising concepts can be tested and refined in realistic operational settings. This approach supports the Department of Defense's broader goals of agility and innovation in responding to emerging threats.

No other program funding summaries are provided for this initiative, and there are no quantities of RDT&E articles specified in the unclassified documentation. The schedule profile indicates that the classified project work under the MILDEC Initiative is planned to begin in the first quarter of FY 2025 and conclude in the fourth quarter of FY 2026. This timeline reflects the program's focus on delivering near-term capabilities to the fleet and joint force.