Support for Strategic Analysis

Wargaming & Support for Strategic Analysis (SSA) is a program element within the Office of the Secretary of Defense, supporting the Director, Cost Assessment & Program Evaluation (CAPE). The primary objective of this program is to advance the Department of Defense's (DoD) capacity for strategic analysis, campaign assessment, and wargaming activities that inform senior leadership decisions. The program is structured under the Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E), Defense-Wide appropriation, focusing on Advanced Component Development & Prototypes (ACD&P). Its mission aligns with key Departmental priorities: deterring aggression, defending the homeland, and building sustainable, long-term advantages.

The program funds research and analytical activities that enable CAPE to implement warfighting analysis in support of the interim National Defense Strategy (NDS). These activities include leading studies, developing and refining warfighting objectives, and overseeing concept, analysis, and force design work. The research agenda is shaped by priorities identified by the Deputy Secretary of Defense and addresses complex questions related to program alternatives for current and future capabilities and force structures. The goal is to provide senior DoD leaders with robust, data-driven insights to balance lethality, partnerships, and reform efforts.

A significant portion of the SSA program is dedicated to the development and evaluation of models, simulations, and analytical tools. These resources are essential for assessing scenarios and concepts of operations across a wide range of warfighting environments. The program delivers scientific and technical engineering services necessary for these research studies, ensuring that the analytical methods employed are current and effective. Deliverables include detailed reports, briefings, and analyses that illuminate findings and assessments to inform operational plan development, concept development, joint campaign analysis, and force development.

The principal line item under this program element supports studies, analyses, and assessments focused on developing and refining warfighting objectives, overseeing force design, and providing guidance on best practices for service concepts and long-range fires decisions. The project also supports Analytic Working Group initiatives, which comprehensively assess, recommend, and oversee execution of enterprise reforms necessary to improve the Department's analytical capabilities in alignment with the Secretary's priorities.

The acquisition strategy for the SSA program utilizes a mix of competitive contracts with commercial firms, as well as research provided by university-affiliated research centers (UARCs) and Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs). This approach ensures access to a broad base of expertise and innovative methodologies. Funds are awarded for high-priority projects based on competition and include analysis of proposed costs to ensure efficient use of resources.

Budget adjustments for the SSA program reflect Congressional general reductions and realignments to better support evolving research priorities. For instance, the budget may be reduced due to Congressional general reductions, while increases may be made to continue funding a mix of research activities and execute planned studies and assessments. The program is designed to be flexible, allowing CAPE to respond to emerging strategic challenges and analytical requirements.