ASD(MC), MISSION CAPABILITIES

RAPID DEFENSE EXPERIMENTATION RESERVE

RDER (“Raider”)

The Rapid Defense Experimentation Reserve (RDER) is a key program within OUSD(R&E) (Mission Capabilities) to accelerate new capability development that addresses joint warfighting gaps.

Drive

RDER drives a process of ideation, experimentation, learning and transition to quickly support multi-domain operations. OUSD(R&E) uses a rigorous process to create a body of evidence supporting transition to operation or continued development.

Accelerate

RDER accelerates Joint innovation; expands international partnerships and multi-lateral engagement; focuses on Joint experimentation; quickly demonstrates and assesses innovative ideas; and provides feedback to future warfighting concept development.

Modernization through Rapid Experimentation

OUSD(R&E) and MIT Lincoln Laboratory’s Small Interceptor Counter Air vehicle showed the OUSD R&E and MIT Lincoln Laboratory's (MIT LL) Small Interceptor Counter Air (SICA) vehicle was put through the paces at TREX 24-2.

Accelerates Joint Innovation
Expands International Partnerships and Multi-Lateral Engagement
Focuses Service Joint Experimentation
Quickly Demonstrates and Assesses Innovative Ideas
Provides Feedback to Future Warfighting Concept Development

How RDER Works

Promising Prototype

Executed on a recurring annual basis, the program provides resourcing for promising prototypes to execute advanced experimentation and evaluation and, if warranted, accelerate transition to warfighting capability.
Beyond merely evaluating individual capabilities and prototypes, RDER experimentation is focused on providing analysis and evaluation of comprehensive joint and multi-domain kill chains.

Addressing Priority Gaps

Prototype Selection

On receipt of candidate prototyping opportunities, the selection process is increasingly informed by advanced analytics and computer-based modeling and simulation to help evaluate proposed technologies/capabilities in a realistic environment.
Once programs are selected and funded, R&E maintains oversight of progress on funded service and industry and ally prototypes, and develops advanced experimentation environments to enable evaluation of both prototype and corresponding concept of operations, and tactics, techniques and procedures. This is done to provide comprehensive feedback to inform rapid acquisition decisions for those activities that show the highest promise in closing warfighter gaps.

Experimentation

Experiments will be focused on integrated kill chain execution in as realistic an environment as possible, leveraging advanced constructive, virtual and live capabilities. When appropriate, RDER will pair compatible technologies to demonstrate comprehensive advanced kill chains.
While RDER provides a unique/focused capability to DoD, it is an integral component of a broader ecosystem which includes combatant command exercises, Service experiments and lab activities, Industry IRAD and commercial activities. To minimize cost and disruption and accelerate experimentation opportunities, RDER experiments often leverage events executed by these partner activities.

A Unique and Valuable Tool

Planning for Transition

As early as prototype selection, transition plans are initiated and tailored for each RDER project. This is accomplished in partnership with the acquisition community to minimize any delays in production or negative impact to existing programs, should a prototype warrant transition. OUSD(R&E) and OUSD Acquisition & Sustainment (A&S) have collaborated to evaluate transition of successful RDER prototypes through A&S Competitive Advantage Pathfinders to develop a roadmap to successful transition. The Accelerate the Procurement and Fielding of Innovative Technologies (APFIT) program, executed by R&E is another new tool that can aid in rapid transition.

How to Engage with RDER

The most effective way to become involved in RDER is to participate in industry days or submit an unsolicited white paper or quad chart outlining your solution.

White papers and quad charts using the templates below may be submitted through the following links.