Department of Defense News Release (April 2, 2007): fiscal 2007 new start and additional fiscal 2006 joint Capability Technology demonstrations announced.

The Department of Defense announced the selection of seven Joint Capability Technology Demonstration (JCTD) projects for fiscal 2007 and three JCTD projects that started at the end of fiscal 2006.

Entering its second year, the JCTD business model replaces the Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration model in fiscal 2007 to rapidly move advanced technology and innovative concepts into the hands of warfighters in the field.

Building on the successful ACTD model in which new operational concepts are combined with maturing technologies in a joint environment, JCTDs focus more on tailoring projects to a combatant commander's specifically identified needs--emphasizing "needs pull" over historical "technology push."

This new program will enable faster project start-up by providing: 1) more resources earlier in the traditional two-year DoD budget cycle, and 2) a flexible start process that facilitates urgently needed combatant command-driven capabilities throughout the fiscal year.

One key aspect of the new JCTD program is the enhanced transition planning process, which seeks to deliver enduring capabilities to the combatant commands.

The new program also will:

* Demand faster fielding of interim capabilities

* Structure funding to provide incentives for military service and agency participation without requiring the Services or agencies to fund from their existing programs

* Provide Services and agencies clear visibility in their participation of joint efforts.

Fiscal 2007 New Starts

Tactical Service Provider (TSP) -- Mobile, wireless, high-throughput broadband connections over long distances

Mapping the Human Terrain (MAP-HT) -- Visualization of socio-cultural information

Joint Multi-Mission Electro-Optical System (JMMES) -- Counter camouflage, concealment, and deception

Smart Threads Integrated Radiation Sensors (STIRS) -- Radiation sensors for state-of-the-art maritime interdiction and battlefield radiation detection

Maritime Automated Supertrack Enhanced Reporting (MASTER) -- Enhanced maritime tracking

Internet Protocol Router In Space (IRIS) -- Satellite Internet resource allocation capabilities

Coalition Mobility System (CMS) -- Rapid access to and coordination of coalition movements.

There were also three later fiscal 2006 new starts:

Coalition Joint Spectrum Management Planning Tool (CJSMPT) -- Radio frequency coordination

Regional Maritime Awareness Capability (RMAC) -- Collaborative surface vessel location and tracking for ungoverned maritime environments Focused Lethal Munition (FLM) -- Collateral damage minimization using precision-guided weapon.

For more information on the ACTD/JCTD programs and project summaries, visit <www.acq.osd.mil/jctd>.