Strategic Technical Support

The Strategic Technical Support program (PE 0605856N) is a Navy Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) Management Support initiative designed to provide analytical studies and technical assessments that inform major policy and procurement decisions related to undersea warfare. The program is managed under the direction of the Director for Submarine Warfare and is structured to address both strategic and conventional military challenges in the domains of submarine operations, antisubmarine warfare, and undersea surveillance. The program is divided into two distinct budget lines: Management/Technical Support Strategic and Acoustic & Non-Acoustic Analysis Support.

Management/Technical Support Strategic focuses on providing analytical support to the Director, Undersea Warfare Division. Its primary objectives include guiding the development of the Submarine Force strategic vision, shaping R&D investment strategies, and supporting future planning for submarine and undersea surveillance missions. The program conducts modeling and simulation projects such as future submarine analysis, unmanned undersea vehicle inventory and capabilities modeling, and subsea and seabed warfare studies. These efforts are intended to anticipate emerging undersea warfare challenges and proactively address them through effective assessment and strategic analysis.

In FY 2025 and FY 2026, the Management/Technical Support Strategic line will continue its work on modeling and simulation to identify and weigh options for addressing operational challenges. It will also provide analysis and support for the development and implementation of the Undersea Constellation warfare area strategy. The program's analytical efforts are designed to inform capability development plans for both existing submarine platforms and new design initiatives, ensuring that future force structure, payloads, sensors, and employment concepts are aligned with strategic objectives.

A decrease in funding for this line item from FY 2025 to FY 2026 is attributed to efficiencies gained through the completion and implementation of the Future Attached Submarine Initial Capabilities Document, as well as a reduction in support for the Chief of Naval Operations Integrated Undersea Future Investment Strategy. Despite the funding reduction, the program is expected to maintain its core mission requirements and continue supporting capability development for undersea warfare forces.

Acoustic & Non-Acoustic Analysis Support provides technical and analytical support for undersea surveillance missions, sensor system communications, acoustic performance prediction, and future threat analysis. This line item supports the Integrated Undersea Surveillance System strategic planning and resource allocation, as well as the development and documentation of future undersea surveillance architectures. It also includes studies on the environmental and medical effects of acoustic systems, operational security, and the long-term impact of active sensors on marine life.

Key objectives for FY 2025 and FY 2026 include comprehensive case analyses of legacy tactical sonar systems and new anti-submarine warfare capability deliveries, support for requirements development for the Integrated Undersea Surveillance System family of systems, and analysis for the Maritime Surveillance Evolution Plan. The program collaborates with agencies such as DARPA, ONR, IWS, SPAWAR, and NRL to provide real-world data sets that enable advanced development initiatives. Technical and operational expertise is provided by the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, which supports system production activities, design guidance, modeling and simulation, and performance assessments.

An increase in funding for Acoustic & Non-Acoustic Analysis Support from FY 2025 to FY 2026 reflects a higher level of effort in scientific and engineering analysis, systems performance predictions, and special engineering studies. This expanded support is intended to enhance research, development, test, and evaluation initiatives across the undersea warfare community, particularly in areas such as unmanned undersea systems, subsea and seabed warfare, and the Undersea Constellation strategy. The program ensures that the Chief of Naval Operations Undersea Warfare Directorate can independently assess technical and operational performance capabilities, supporting the Navy's long-term strategic goals in undersea warfare.