Future Naval Capabilities Applied Research

The Future Naval Capabilities Applied Research program, managed by the Office of Naval Research, is dedicated to advancing technologies that enhance the operational capabilities of the Navy and Marine Corps. This initiative focuses on maturing technologies from lower Technology Readiness Levels to higher ones, thereby reducing transition risks. It supports a wide range of research areas including aerospace sciences, biomedical advancements, directed energy systems, and electromagnetic spectrum management. Each project aligns with the Department of the Navy's strategic priorities and involves collaboration with acquisition stakeholders to ensure emerging technologies meet specific naval needs.

In Aerospace Sciences, efforts concentrate on advancing flight technologies applicable to aircraft, missiles, and unmanned systems. The goal is to improve manned-unmanned teaming operations and enhance shipboard recovery capabilities for air platforms. Meanwhile, Biomedical projects focus on enhancing health and survivability in maritime environments by developing diagnostic and treatment capabilities for operational settings.

Directed Energy research is dedicated to developing laser and high-power microwave systems for defense applications. This includes creating compact antenna technologies for integration into tactical ground vehicles and advancing tracking solutions for ship-based terminal defense. Electromagnetic Spectrum initiatives aim to mature technologies that degrade adversary capabilities while improving naval ISR&T data delivery through novel sensing techniques.

The Full Spectrum Cyber project explores innovative cyber tools to bolster naval platform resilience against threats. This includes developing machine learning approaches for autonomous cyber defense and enhancing protocol security. Human Systems research targets improving decision-making processes and training effectiveness through advanced analytics and artificial intelligence applications.

Kinetic Weapons development focuses on extending range, precision, and destructive power of naval munitions while reducing costs. Manufacturing efforts aim to advance fabrication techniques for naval platforms, ensuring durability and efficiency in harsh maritime conditions. Materials research supports these goals by exploring new materials that enhance platform performance and reliability.

Naval Engineering projects work on optimizing platform design and integration to maximize operational effectiveness. Ocean Battle Space Applications seek to improve maritime domain awareness through advanced sensing technologies that support mine warfare and undersea operations. Power and Energy initiatives strive to enhance energy efficiency across naval systems, ensuring reliable power supply in diverse operational contexts.

Undersea Systems Payloads and Weapons research develops stealthy undersea technologies that leverage subsurface advantages for strategic operations. Decision Superiority projects focus on enhancing communication networks and decision-making tools to provide commanders with actionable insights in complex scenarios. These comprehensive efforts collectively aim to maintain the Navy's technological edge in an evolving global landscape.