Rapid Defense Experimentation Reserve (RDER)

The Rapid Defense Experimentation Reserve (RDER) program, under Program Element 0604025F, is a Department of the Air Force initiative designed to accelerate the modernization of military capabilities through advanced component development and prototyping. The primary objective of RDER is to facilitate rapid, joint experimentation across multiple services and agencies, focusing on integrating and evaluating innovative technologies in realistic operational environments. This approach supports the refinement and validation of the Joint Warfighting Concept (JWC), ensuring that new capabilities are aligned with evolving strategic requirements.

AFWERX Prime is a key project within RDER, supporting a suite of experimentation activities. AFWERX Prime's goal is to identify and test best of breed technologies developed through Department of Defense prototyping programs. The project emphasizes cross-service collaboration, involving joint services, international partners, and other government agencies. Its experimentation efforts are structured to support the four functional battles of the JWC: Joint Concept for Fires, Command and Control, Contested Logistics, and Information Advantage. By conducting large-scale experiments, AFWERX Prime aims to validate operational relevance and accelerate the transition of promising prototypes into fielded capabilities.

Specific AFWERX Prime initiatives include efforts such as rapid infrastructure deployment, aerial-port modernization, advanced radar systems, joint tactical edge networking, rapidly deployable weapon systems, low-cost threat emitters, and control systems for coordinated operations. Each project is intended to address specific operational needs, such as enhancing logistics, improving networked communications, developing advanced weapon systems, and supporting coordinated multi-domain operations. These efforts are managed through various acquisition strategies and are scheduled to complete within FY 2024 2025.

Rapid Defense Experimentation Reserve (Project 640862) supports joint experimentation activities, including the Angry Badger experiment, which aims to develop capabilities for force projection in highly contested environments using the existing aircraft fleet. The project builds on previous efforts such as JRBL Cage, which consolidated podded technologies. Other activities include DEFEND Experimentation and several classified projects, all focused on validating and integrating advanced technologies to support joint operational concepts.

The Angry Badger Experimentation is specifically designed to enhance the Air Force's ability to project power in environments where adversary capabilities may limit traditional operations. By leveraging existing aircraft and integrating new technologies, this experiment seeks to provide practical solutions for contested airspace scenarios. The DEFEND Experimentation focuses on developing and testing defensive measures to protect assets and ensure mission success under threat conditions. Classified efforts encompass additional high-priority projects, details of which are available only in secure forums.

Oversight and funding for RDER projects are managed by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)), with annual reviews to assess progress and determine future focus areas. Projects are selected based on their potential to enable the JWC and are executed by the military services under OSD guidance. Outcomes from these experiments inform requirements determination, joint staff analysis, and budget decisions, ensuring that only the most viable and impactful technologies advance to further development or fielding.