Warfare Innovation Management

The Warfare Innovation Management program (PE 0606355N) is a Navy Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) Management Support initiative designed to advance and integrate innovative warfighting capabilities across the fleet. Its overarching goals include enhancing interoperability with allies, developing resilient information warfare architectures, and accelerating the delivery and validation of new operational concepts and technologies. The program is structured into several distinct projects, each targeting specific objectives related to information warfare, cybersecurity, experimentation, and coalition operations.

Allied/Coalition Maritime Environment (ACME) aims to improve interoperability among the United States Navy and its key allies, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and NATO partners. The project's primary objectives are to identify and address maritime operational gaps through Doctrine, Organization, Training, Material, Leadership, Personnel, and Facilities (DOTMLPF) solutions, and to assess these solutions in laboratory and at-sea environments. ACME focuses on secure, interoperable communications and networking technologies, particularly for Denied, Degraded, Intermittent, and Low-bandwidth (DDIL) operations. It also supports coalition initiatives such as Federated Mission Networking (FMN) and the Secret and Below Releasable Environment (SABRE), with special emphasis on integrating advanced relay capabilities, electromagnetic spectrum management, and coalition interoperability experiments (CWIX). Funding for ACME is eliminated starting in FY2026, reflecting a strategic shift in priorities.

Space & Electronic Warfare Engineering (SEW) is a non-acquisition systems engineering effort led by NAVWAR, focused on developing, testing, and validating technical authority products and architectures for Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C4ISR), Business IT, and Space Systems. The project's goals include establishing a unified Navy cybersecurity plan, creating standardized engineering criteria, and automating certification processes to enhance cyber resiliency and reduce redundant investments. SEW supports rapid delivery of secure software applications through certified CI/CD pipelines and continuous integration of cybersecurity standards. It also conducts holistic cyber risk assessments and systems engineering technical reviews to ensure compliance and technical maturity across Navy programs. In FY2026, SEW funding is reduced due to consolidation of advanced manufacturing RDT&E and prioritization of other departmental needs.

Fleet Experimentation (FLEX) is managed by Commander U.S. Fleet Forces Command, Commander U.S. Pacific Fleet, and Commander U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, with execution by the Navy Warfare Development Center. FLEX's objective is to address the fleet's highest priority warfighting gaps through rigorous experimentation, including workshops, wargames, and live operational events. The program examines both materiel and non-materiel solutions, generates actionable recommendations, and supports the Chief of Naval Operations' Distributed Maritime Operations (DMO) and Joint Warfighting Concept (JWC) capability development.

FLEX aligns with the National Defense Strategy and CNO Navigation Plan, focusing on areas such as maritime fires, counter-C5ISRT, undersea warfare, unmanned systems, and AI/ML integration. Funding in FY2026 supports continued experimentation and analysis to refine operational and tactical capabilities.

Trident Warrior is an experimentation campaign designed to accelerate the delivery of Information Warfare capabilities to the warfighter through fleet-directed operational events. The program integrates innovative technologies, develops supporting doctrine, and ensures joint and coalition applicability and interoperability. Trident Warrior emphasizes early evaluation of new systems and concepts in operational environments, providing feedback and recommendations to stakeholders.

In FY2025, the program focused on executing experiments, promoting broad participation, and planning future events. However, funding is eliminated in FY2026, discontinuing all Trident Warrior activities as part of a broader realignment of resources.