Rapid Prototyping Program

The Rapid Prototyping Program (PE 0604331J) is managed by the Joint Staff (JS) and is a key component of the Department of Defense's (DoD) efforts to accelerate modernization through advanced research, development, and experimentation. The program's primary objective is to support rapid prototyping and experimentation aligned with the Joint Warfighting Concept (JWC). By focusing on the integration and assessment of new technologies in operationally relevant environments, the program aims to inform and refine the future design and development of the Joint Force.

A central element within this program is the Rapid Defense Experimentation Reserve (RDER). RDER was established to facilitate multi-service and multi-agency experimentation, encouraging a campaign of learning across the DoD. The program identifies and leverages capabilities developed through various DoD prototyping initiatives and executes approved projects via large-scale experiments. These efforts are designed to validate and integrate prototyped technologies that address key operational problems and imperatives outlined in the JWC.

The Joint Staff J-7 plays a critical leadership role in the RDER initiative. JS J-7 is designated by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD R&E) to lead and manage the RDER JWC Working Group. This group is responsible for ensuring that proposed experiments are aligned with the JWC, assessing the execution and impact of prototyping activities, and providing independent validation of results. JS J-7 also manages data collection, analytics, and archiving throughout the lifecycle of RDER experiments, supporting informed decision-making for Joint Force Design.

The program's goals for FY 2025 included continued alignment of RDER proposals with the JWC, ongoing data management using the Joint Experimentation Network (JExNet), and comprehensive assessment of experimentation outcomes. These activities were intended to provide decision-ready data and analysis to senior leaders and analysts, enabling rapid and informed decisions about future Joint Force capabilities. The emphasis on data-driven evaluation ensures that experimentation efforts directly contribute to addressing operational challenges and advancing the JWC.

Funding for the Rapid Defense Experimentation Reserve was eliminated in FY 2026, resulting in the cessation of support for ongoing and planned experimentation efforts. This change was reflected in the budget, with no new funding allocated for RDER activities beyond FY 2025. The elimination of funding was attributed to congressional reductions and program adjustments, signaling a shift in priorities or resource allocation within the broader DoD research and development portfolio.

Despite the termination of funding, the accomplishments of the Rapid Prototyping Program and RDER in prior years contributed to the DoD's understanding of how to accelerate modernization through joint experimentation. The collaborative approach between JS J-7 and OUSD R&E ensured that experimentation was not duplicative but complementary, maximizing the value of prototyping investments across the Department. The program's integrated data management and assessment functions provided a foundation for future efforts to align technology development with operational needs.