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Are you coming to the storm -- Thunderstorm 22-2?

Are you coming to the storm -- Thunderstorm 22-2?

ANNOUNCEMENT

Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Capability Prototypes
Innovation Discovery and Demonstration 
Thunderstorm: Demonstration & Experimentation Event

27-30 September 2022
0800-1530

Download the event flyer!

The Crucible
60 Jack Ellington Rd, Fredericksburg, VA 

RSVP by 22SEP2022: https://e.afit.edu/75kkJVjk

On behalf of Mr. Jon Lazar, Director of Capability Prototypes (CP) within the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD (R&E)), we are pleased to invite you to attend the Thunderstorm 22-2 Technology Demonstration and Experimentation Event. While attendance is encouraged throughout the event, a Distinguished Visitor (DV) Day will be held on 29 September from 1100-1500L

The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research & Engineering (OUSD(R&E)) Capability Prototypes’ Thunderstorm Program uncovers innovative technologies and capabilities, especially from small businesses and non-traditional performers, in technology areas most relevant to priority DoD missions.  Through the discovery, demonstration, and experimentation of these novel technologies in operationally-relevant environments, Thunderstorm accelerates adoption of commercial technologies, while also helping industry newcomers innovate faster through a deeper insight into DoD’s needs. 

The primary focus areas of the Thunderstorm 22-2 event are Electromagnetic Spectrum Awareness & Maneuverability, Information Operations, and Resilient Logistics Systems. Scripted and ad-hoc demonstrations will showcase technology solutions that have the potential to enhance warfighter capability.  Government attendees help direct government investment through informed feedback on participating technologies. Additionally, attendees will advise on focus areas for future Thunderstorm Demonstration and Experimentation events.

Invited Technology Areas Include:

Electromagnetic Spectrum Solutions that:

  • Are low cost, size, weight, and power (C-SWaP), portable, rapidly-deployable, and ruggedized solutions
  • Leverage custom RF, microelectronic, and photonic components
  • Enable wideband RF operations 
  • Demonstrate free-space optical communications systems and associated atmospheric mitigation and signal processing techniques
    • Support non-line-of slight (NLOS) and/or on-the-move (OTM) operational capability
    • Facilitate multi-domain operations (e.g., ground, sea, air, space) and cross-domain capability

Spectrum Maneuverability Solutions that:

  • Provide visualization and signal processing tools
  • Quantify provenance and pedigree of signals 
  • Prioritize competing data inputs
  • Optimize situational awareness and communications
  • Facilitate Low Probability of Intercept/Detect (LPI/LPD) 
  • Ensure reliability in Denied, Disrupted, Intermittent, and Limited (DDIL) environments

Information Operations Solutions that: 

  • Acquire, process, distribute, and employ data to enhance combat power
  • Leverage Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) to inform operations 
  • Change or maintain observations, perceptions, and other elements to influence desired behaviors of relevant actors
  • Inform decision making and/or exploitation of signals through AI/ML  

Resilient Logistics Systems that: 

  • Enhance movement, camouflage, concealment, and physical security of materiel through innovative packaging, storage, and distribution
  • Predict requirements and expeditiously identify, mitigate, and respond to supply chain disruptions
    • Utilize predictive modeling capabilities and/or war gaming solutions
  • Augment or conduct urgent resupply/sustainment missions with multi-capable distribution platforms for a disaggregated force
  • Reduce reliance on prepared infrastructure, accelerate distribution, and eliminate the need for material-handling equipment 
  • Improve standoff delivery at range (e.g. airdrop)

Attendance is limited to government employees and their Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance (SETA) contractors. A Common Access Card (CAC) or Personal Identity Verification (PIV), or equivalent identification will be required to attend the Thunderstorm event. This is an unclassified event. Visit requests are not required.

Point of Contact:

Innovation Discovery and Demonstration Program Manager, Mr. Matt Goodyear, (703) 697- 4236, matthew.e.goodyear.ctr@mail.mil
    
RSVP by 22 September 2022: https://e.afit.edu/75kkJVjk

Checkout the participating technologies below


What is Thunderstorm?

Thunderstorm accelerates the transition of emerging capabilities to the Warfighter through technology focused venues that address key DoD modernization challenges and gaps.  Beginning in 2009, Thunderstorm has provided an enduring venue for informing DoD communities through innovation discovery and conducting demonstrations and experiments of emerging technology in operationally relevant environments.  Since 2016, the Thunderstorm Program "has introduced 330 new and emerging technologies to over 1,132 DoD, [Intelligence Community], and other government representatives."

Sponsored by the Capability Prototypes Directorate in the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, Thunderstorm technology demonstrations and field experimentation events:

  • [provide a venue] for the Science & Technology, Acquisition, and User communities to identify and transition new Joint mission capabilities that address key modernization gaps;
  • enable technology demonstration...experiments to explore new and emerging technologies, [Concepts of Operations] and red team capabilities;
  • foster collaboration for addressing shared gaps and challenges across DoD and other communities;
  • facilitate the exploration of lower maturity, higher risk/higher reward alternatives and technology collaborations in operationally relevant environments; and
  • engage and leverage non-traditional, small business and allied technologies to accelerate the transition of innovative solutions.

Discover additional collaborative field experimentation and technology demonstration events sponsored by the Capability Prototypes Directorate on the SLAMR Field Experimentation events calendar. Joint Interagency Field Experimentation 23-1 is just around the corner…

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