The Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization (JIEDDO) this week issued its Strategic Plan 2012-2016, enumerating seven future research and development (R&D) capability gaps it wants to fill to stay ahead of the threat with “timely and effective” C-IED solutions.
Those gaps are: pre-detonation, counter-threat network, detection, counter-device, homemade explosives, information integration and fusion and weapons technical intelligence.
“While we are never going to stop all IEDs, a holistic, decisive, whole-of-government approach will significantly impact the effect the IED has in future operations and to our domestic security,” said Army Lt. Gen. Michael Barbero, JIEDDO director in the foreword to the strategic plan.
To date, JIEDDO has spent some $20 billion published sources said to stop the deadly threat that ranges from low tech–cell-phone detonated artillery shells–to enormous, pressure sensitive bombs. And the organization says IEDs will remain a global threat and is likely to reach the United States. “The threat of IED use within the United States is real,” the plan said.
The R&D gaps are linked to operational needs and critical enablers. For example, there is a pre-detonation gap, where the military wants to pre-detonate IEDs while mounted where a critical enabler would be a lightweight system that could be used by hand.
JIEDDO wants “scalable, affordable, adaptable” future capabilities. While not providing specifics, the strategic plan said, “An effective DoD C-IED R&D strategy can play to each of their strengths and develop a true synergy across the community of interest.”
To achieve those goals, the strategy will include such things as research funding, collaborative development, and policy direction.
The goal of the strategic plan is to “promote an informed and agile research and acquisitions process that stays ahead of the threat and develops timely and effective C-IED solutions…”