Marine Aviation Demonstration/Validation

The Marine Aviation Demonstration/Validation program, as outlined in Program Element (PE) 0604295M, is a United States Marine Corps (USMC) initiative under the Department of the Navy's Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) budget. The primary goal of this program is to support the development, demonstration, and transition of advanced aviation capabilities that align with Marine Corps Force Design and Marine Corps Aviation's Project Eagle. The program aims to address current and future operational needs by maturing technologies and rapidly inserting them into the force to close lethality gaps, with a focus on both manned and unmanned vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) systems and their associated subsystems.

Vertical Takeoff and Landing Development is the largest component of this program. The objective of this project is to develop and prototype VTOL capabilities that are feasible, affordable, and enhance the operational effectiveness of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF). Key efforts include rapid prototyping for aerial logistics connectors designed to support contested logistics and expeditionary operations. The project also supports future attack/strike and assault support missions, emphasizing autonomy, modular payloads, and integration with joint service programs to leverage cost and development efficiencies.

Within VTOL Development, the program conducts acquisition management, engineering modeling, test and evaluation, and operational demonstrations. Vendors will integrate unique software and hardware autonomy solutions into demonstration aircraft, which will be evaluated by Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Two Four (UX-24) and Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron One (VMX-1). These assessments will refine requirements for fleet integration and inform doctrine, organization, training, and material needs. The project also includes design reviews for shipboard compatibility and the use of integration laboratories for real-time government and vendor collaboration, bench testing, and anomaly resolution.

The acquisition strategy for the aerial logistics connector leverages a Middle Tier of Acquisition (MTA) approach, capitalizing on commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) and government-off-the-shelf (GOTS) solutions. This rapid prototyping pathway allows for operational evaluations and down-selection of vendors, with the goal of integrating the most promising solutions into the force by the end of the fiscal year. The program also emphasizes risk reduction through additive manufacturing and propulsion demonstrations, supporting the expeditionary and forward-deployed nature of Marine operations.

Future Capabilities Transition is the second major line item. This project is focused on accelerating the transition of science and technology (S&T) efforts into operational capabilities, particularly those that enhance Marine Corps Aviation's lethality and interoperability within joint operations. The project manages and supports initiatives such as long-range attack missile development and air launched effects, working closely with the Office of the Secretary of Defense Research & Engineering, Defense Innovation Accelerator, and Rapid Defense Experiment Reserve projects.

Future Capabilities Transition includes acquisition management, engineering analysis, test and evaluation, and cross-service collaboration. Efforts will include final demonstrations for long-range attack missile initiatives, continued risk reduction and prototyping for air launched effects, and a focus on payload development and in-flight targeting enhancements. The project also supports capability assessments to identify and address risk reduction opportunities, ensuring that both legacy and new platforms can influence science and technology investments and acquisition strategies early in the process to avoid duplication and reduce lifecycle costs.