We are all sick of hearing about the budget cuts and woes of DoD. Let’s focus on the good news: some really great things will continue to be funded as Navy continues to invest in innovation. Last week, Secretary of Defense released the details of the 2014 Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) and the FY15 Budget Requests. Secretary of Defense Hagel is cautiously optimistic that we can maintain our strategic advantage and make the cuts required by Congress to balance the budget.
Three pillars are emphasized: protecting the homeland, building security globally and projecting power to win defensively. “The operating environment is increasingly enabled by technology, which provides the types of capabilities once largely limited to major powers…” A quick read through his official submission shows dramatic cuts in many areas, but S&T continues to be funded, and even increased in a few areas.
Last year, Navy’s PEO C4I outlined the S&T Gaps for FY14, breaking them down into the following categories: communications, networks, common computing environment/common services, additional applications, cross cutting services, and power and energy.
This document shows a pretty accurate list of what Navy wishes it had… and when they need it by. It’s a huge list, and impossible to fulfill in entirety.
Last month, SSC LANT presented their thoughtfully developed S&T Strategic Plan. Download the SPAWAR plan here: Space and Naval Warfare Systems S&T Strategic_Plan It takes the PEO C4I Gaps forward and creates a plan for Navy investment. Since this is where the rubber meets the road (or more accurately: where the money meets the contractors), it’s worth looking at. Dr. Emondi, the S&T lead, looked at eight separate areas. He reviewed each one, and determined where he thought Navy should “follow” the innovation, “leverage” the innovation and “grow” the innovation. Some of the areas emphasized for SPAWAR investment are:
- Advanced Communications: simulators and next generation test bed development. SPAWAR will need the ability to perform analysis on the new advanced systems that will come available in the next ten years.
- Networks: Network security and authentication and embedded systems software development (mobility and advanced communications). As “smart networks” move from research to vendor solutions, SPAWAR will be responsible for ensuring the network security and for providing a larger infrastructure to mobile networks.
- Analytics and Artificial Intelligence: Data verification, Predictive analytics and Entropy and information theory. As the user requires and expects to leverage big data repositories with precision and reliability, analytics will continue to evolve and take center stage on all future SPAWAR developments.
- Autonomous Systems: Machine learning and deep learning algorithm development, and automated/assisted decision planning/making. Robotics and advanced, ubiquitous sensors will require expertise in combining artificial intelligence, machine learning and natural user interfaces. This is a game changer for DoD.
- Data Handling: SPAWAR expects to leverage industries investments here, however they will grow their ability to provide data forensics to DoN in their role as a solution provider.
- Mobility: Embedded system design and software instantiation and mobile application development for DoD. BYOD will give way to “Bringing Work to Devices” (BWTD) as users telework and use offsite work locations.
One thing I’m sure of: if you don’t have a “plan”, you won’t get funded! Navy’s careful efforts to protect S&T investments are impressive and will glean positive results for all.
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