Medical Development

The Medical Development program (PE 0604771N) is a Navy Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) initiative focused on advancing biomedical equipment and techniques to reduce morbidity, enhance the feasibility of modern medical care for combat casualties, and ensure medical readiness of military personnel. The overarching objectives are to develop, test, and evaluate medical and dental systems that support casualty care, sustainment, and evacuation in both terrestrial and maritime operational environments. The program emphasizes dual-use technologies, cost-benefit justification, and potential for technology transfer and industry collaboration.

Medical/Dental Equipment Development (Project 0933) is the primary line item within the program, with specific goals to develop and field expeditionary medical systems and equipment that save warfighter lives and facilitate patient movement through the continuum of care. Key objectives include completing the cabin-pressure/decompression sickness (DCS) test and evaluation capability, advancing physiological monitoring sensor systems for use in military environments, and developing neurocognitive tools and antiemetic solutions to enhance human performance. The project also evaluates autonomous aerial technologies for distributed logistics of critical medical supplies, supporting rapid and reliable delivery in distributed maritime operations.

Within Medical/Dental Equipment Development, the program is also focused on the Expeditionary Medical Family of Systems, which includes the Certified Diagnostic Mobile Laboratory (CDML), Expeditionary Resuscitative Surgical Systems (ERSS), En Route Care Systems (ERCS), and the Expeditionary Medical Unit (EMU). These systems are undergoing developmental testing and suitability evaluation to provide enhanced Role 2 care ashore and afloat, supporting distributed maritime and expeditionary operations. The goal is to incrementally deliver capabilities that address evolving operational requirements, with milestones planned for system fielding and initial operational capability.

The acquisition strategy for the Medical Development program is tailored to the nature and size of each product area. For equipment and pharmaceuticals/biologics, the Navy employs two primary approaches: testing and evaluating commercially developed products for naval application (with an eye toward FDA approval and broader DoD and commercial use), and collaborative in-house or industrial prototype development to meet specific naval needs. The third area, operational knowledge/concepts, focuses on introducing new technologies, techniques, and procedures to improve standards of care and operational effectiveness, often requiring early involvement from military medical leadership.

Congressional Adds (Project 9999) in FY 2024 provided targeted funding for military dental research, specifically supporting efforts in craniofacial injury surveillance, combat dentistry, treatment of maxillofacial injuries, dental disease non-battle injuries, and oral/facial disease and infection among military personnel. This research is managed in part by the USAISR Dental & Craniofacial Trauma Research Directorate in San Antonio, TX, and aims to address unique dental and craniofacial challenges faced by service members in operational settings.

The program's funding profile reflects a focus on both ongoing and completed research and development efforts, with adjustments made for efficiency and workforce optimization in line with executive orders. The Navy's approach ensures that end users are involved in the development process, and that products are aligned with service integration strategies for maximum operational impact. The program also coordinates with other Navy and DoD medical acquisition efforts, such as the Deployable Medical Systems line, to ensure a holistic approach to medical readiness.