Innovative Naval Prototypes (INP) Applied Research

The Innovative Naval Prototypes (INP) Applied Research program, managed by the Office of Naval Research (ONR), is designed to address high-risk, high-payoff technology challenges that have the potential to revolutionize future U.S. Naval operational concepts. The program's primary objective is to mature promising technologies from early research stages (Technology Readiness Level 2 or 3) to a level suitable for prototype demonstration (TRL 6). These efforts are focused on applied research activities, including concept exploration, feasibility studies, and the development of breadboard hardware and algorithms. INPs do not produce hardware for direct service use but instead provide feeder technologies for subsequent advanced technology development and prototyping. The program is being consolidated into the Future Naval Capabilities Applied Research portfolio beginning in FY2026 to enhance flexibility and efficiency in addressing capability gaps.

Full Spectrum Undersea Warfare (FSUSW) is a major thrust area within the INP Applied Research program, aiming to develop new offensive and defensive technologies for undersea, subsea, and seabed warfare. FSUSW supports Theatre Undersea Warfare, Joint Targeting and Strike, and Subsea/Seabed Warfare, with five interconnected thrusts: undersea effectors, integrated expeditionary subsea systems, multi-vehicle torpedo tube development, undersea UAVs for over-the-horizon effects, and undersea launched devices. These efforts are validated through collaboration with STRATCOM, INDO-PACOM, Fleet, and Undersea Warfare Commanders. FY2025 activities include autonomy testing for unmanned undersea vehicles, development of navigation and power alternatives, and live experimentation to support distributed maritime operations and future weapon systems.

Manufacture of Autonomous Systems at Scale (MASS) focuses on leveraging advanced manufacturing and digital design to enable rapid, low-cost production of unmanned air, surface, and subsurface systems. The goal is to field large numbers of autonomous platforms with modular, adaptable designs that can be quickly modified to meet evolving operational needs. MASS emphasizes commonality of components, supply chain resilience, and the ability to deploy manufacturing capabilities closer to operational theaters to reduce logistics burdens. The applied research in MASS supports the development of scalable production methods and platform architectures for future autonomous system deployments.

Deployment and Employment of Autonomous Long Range Systems (DEALRS) aims to counter adversary Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) capabilities by developing technologies for low-cost, long-range unmanned systems capable of penetrating and operating within contested environments. DEALRS research includes enhancing swarm agent endurance, developing marsupial launch concepts, and scaling up delivery platforms for trans-oceanic operations. The project also explores autonomous startup and launch processes to minimize human intervention and maximize operational flexibility.

Manned and Autonomous Teams (MATes) seeks to advance collaborative behaviors and interfaces that enable autonomous systems to operate seamlessly alongside manned units across multiple domains. The objective is to reduce the need for human oversight, allowing operators to focus on higher-level decision-making while autonomous systems adapt and optimize their actions in real-time. MATes research includes developing intuitive human-autonomous interfaces, artificial theory of mind for swarm agents, and coordination algorithms that anticipate and respond to teammate and adversary behaviors.

Other notable INP Applied Research projects include Compact Agile Interceptors, which develops small, high-speed missile interceptors with disruptive seeker and propulsion technologies; Curious Orion, focused on novel detection methods for submerged maritime threats; Precision Fire Control, which aims to create a fire control architecture for layered defense using low-cost interceptors; and Echidna, which explores advanced mine technologies and additive manufacturing for flexible deployment. Seedling efforts such as Full Spectrum Information Warfare, Decision Superiority, Direct-X, DMO through IAS, STARDANCAR-M, and TALISMAN investigate disruptive concepts in information warfare, decision aids, space-based ISR, autonomous system teaming, propulsion, and distributed sensor networks.

Congressional Adds within this program element provide targeted funding for specific research initiatives, such as the ATRT enterprise, which focuses on developing machine learning algorithms and techniques. The INP Applied Research program is structured to accelerate technology maturation, address emerging threats, and support future naval capability development through a diverse portfolio of applied research projects aligned with strategic priorities and validated operational needs.