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The JCTD Program executes operational prototypes to address the most pressing technology gaps facing the Department of Defense. Starting in FY15, JCTD projects will primarily be initiated to develop technology solutions in the four EC&P focus areas.
The mission of the JCTD Program is to support the Department’s evolving strategic priorities as described by then Secretary Chuck Hagel at the 2014 Reagan National Defense Forum, where he announced a new Defense Innovation Initiative to identify and invest in innovative ways to sustain and advance America’s military dominance for the 21st century and ensure that U.S. power-projection capabilities continue to sustain a competitive advantage over the coming decades.
The JCTD Program will actively support this initiative through the execution of pre–engineering and manufacturing development prototypes in the four DASD(EC&P) focus areas.
The JCTD Program started as the Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration Program in 1995 and became the JCTD Program in 2006. The change in 2006 reflected an increased emphasis on meeting urgent warfighter needs by accelerating the execution of JCTDs and an increased focus on transition. However, the basic tenets of the program remained the same:
- JCTDs were identified and prioritized by the combatant command and addressed their priority needs.
- JCTDs worked the joint, coalition, and interagency shortfalls or “seams.”
- Worked “inside the Program Objective Memorandum” unlike traditional acquisition—time is money and costs lives. Typically JCTDs takes two to three years from start to fielding.
- Partner funds received: $1 to $2 for every $1 we commit to a JCTD.
- Unique team structure of JCTDs:
- Operational, technical, and transition managers all on one intergrated team
Between 1995 and 2006, over 250 projects were initiated. Notable successes included the Predator and Global Hawk in 1995, Link 16 in 1998, the Standoff Precision Guided Munitions in 2005, and the Persistent Ground Surveillance System in 2010.
Starting in 2014 and with the end of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the focus of the JCTD Program has shifted from rapid fielding to meet urgent warfighter needs to addressing the more strategic priorities of the Department of Defense. Starting in 2015, the JCTD program will primarily initiate projects in support of the four DASD(EC&P) focus areas.
The JCTD Program supports the DASD(EC&P) objectives through the execution of pre–engineering and manufacturing development prototypes to address the four DASD(EC&P) focus areas.
Contact JCTD
JCTD DoD Techipedia Space
JCTD DoD Techipedia Space User Guide
The KIMS JCTD database was decommissioned on 30 September 2012 and replaced with the DTIC–DoDTechipedia–JCTD Defense Community space. Please note: this site can be accessed only via CAC-enabled computers. Instructions for obtaining a DTIC account and requesting access to the JCTD Defense Community space can be found in the User Guide.