SUPPORTING THE FUTURE FORCE Levels of Technology Readiness


Representative model or prototype system, which is well beyond that of TRL 5, is tested in a relevant environment. This represents a major step up in a technology’s demonstrated readiness.


Prototype near or at planned operational system. This represents a major step up from TRL 6, requiring demonstration of an actual system prototype in an operational environment such as an aircraft, vehicle or space.


Technology Readiness Level


Basic principles observed and reported.


Technology concept or application formulated.


Analytical and experimental critical function or characteristic proof of concept.


LEVEL UP


Technology readiness levels are a method for estimating the maturity of technologies during acquisition. They were developed to enable consistent, uniform discussions of technical maturity across different types of technology. The Cyber Battle Lab assesses and demonstrates products that are at Technology Readiness Level 6 or 7. (Graphic courtesy of the author and U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center)


Component or breadboard validation in laboratory environment.


Component or breadboard validation in relevant environment.


System or subsystem model or prototype demonstration in a relevant environment.


System prototype demonstration in an operational environment.


Actual system completed and qualified through test and


demonstration.


Actual system proven through successful mission operations.


most significant capability requirements for each organization. (See sidebar, Page 58.) Terefore, each annual experimentation event is unique.


Once the program sponsors have determined the focus areas, the Cyber Battle Lab invites interested vendors to take part in an informational industry day. Tis event provides the program sponsors and vendors with an opportunity to collaborate and determine if and how teaming will provide value. After the program sponsors and vendors have committed to partnering, they begin the critical work of determining what objective and subjective data the evaluators will capture that will define prod- uct success and support acquisition decisions.


Te announcement of Cyber Quest priorities and industry day generally take place in August, with the exercise itself taking place the following spring. For example, the 2019 priorities were announced in August 2018, and exercises were conducted in June 2019 at Fort Gordon. Priorities are spelled out in broad agency announcements released through the Federal Business Oppor- tunities website. Each announcement outlines the objectives and key events of the experiment and provides interested industry and


academia partners with the framework for participation. Typi- cally, the announcements seek technology submission forms from interested colleges and universities, nonprofit research institu- tions, commercial firms, small businesses, small disadvantaged business concerns, historically black colleges and universities, and minority business enterprises and institutions.


HOW DO STAKEHOLDERS BENEFIT? Cyber Quest provides government sponsors with two important opportunities. First, it gives sponsoring organizations the chance to develop and refine requirements for what the Army needs. Second, it provides program offices with an additional resource to reduce risk throughout the acquisition process.


Take, for example, the experience of the Project Manager (PM) for Mission Command, within the Program Executive Office for Command, Control and Communications – Tactical, and TCM Networks and Services. Working together over the past year, PM Mission Command and TCM Networks and Services estab- lished criteria for testing tactical server infrastructure hardware and software tools for defensive cyber operations. PM Mission Command, TCM Networks and Services and the Cyber Battle


https://asc.ar my.mil 57


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100  |  Page 101  |  Page 102  |  Page 103  |  Page 104  |  Page 105  |  Page 106  |  Page 107  |  Page 108  |  Page 109  |  Page 110  |  Page 111  |  Page 112  |  Page 113  |  Page 114  |  Page 115  |  Page 116  |  Page 117  |  Page 118  |  Page 119  |  Page 120  |  Page 121  |  Page 122  |  Page 123  |  Page 124  |  Page 125  |  Page 126  |  Page 127  |  Page 128  |  Page 129  |  Page 130  |  Page 131  |  Page 132  |  Page 133  |  Page 134  |  Page 135  |  Page 136  |  Page 137  |  Page 138  |  Page 139  |  Page 140  |  Page 141  |  Page 142  |  Page 143  |  Page 144  |  Page 145  |  Page 146  |  Page 147  |  Page 148  |  Page 149  |  Page 150  |  Page 151  |  Page 152  |  Page 153  |  Page 154  |  Page 155  |  Page 156