Department of the Navy Rapid Capabilities Office and industry advance next-gen technologies at September Disruptor Days

The Department of the Navy Rapid Capabilities Office ran simultaneous field demonstrations of passive decoy and electro-optical/infrared technologies Sept. 21-24 at Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane, Indiana, and Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, marking the office’s first two “Disruptor Day” events.

Coordinated with the Fleet, the Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Mission Systems, and site teams at Patuxent River and Crane, the showcases brought in about 20 vendors to present next-generation, quickly deployable systems aimed at near-term operational needs. The events paired Navy experts with traditional and non-traditional industry, including small businesses and first-time federal contractors, for hands-on evaluation.

“Disruptor Days give us a front-row look at what these technologies can do,” said Vice Adm. Seiko Okano, director of the DONRCO. “These events let vendors put skin in the game to prove they can tackle the challenges of the moment.”

One track examined EO/IR tools designed to pick out a specific target within a crowded scene. The second concentrated on organic, low-cost passive decoy countermeasures, exploring options that can be rapidly deployed to complicate an adversary’s targeting.

The trials align with the Rapid Capabilities Office’s mandate to quickly scout and assess technologies with operational promise and to speed relevant capabilities to Sailors and Marines.

“Speed is not about being efficient — it is about being relevant in combat,” said Vice Adm. Seiko Okano, Director of the DONRCO. “Disruptor Days shake up the status quo to find innovative operational solutions that pace the threat.”

Following these initial events, the office plans another Disruptor Day later this year focused on Maritime Domain Awareness.