Capable Manpower - A Future Naval Capability Program

The Office of Naval Research (ONR) Capable Manpower Program (CMP) develops science and technology solutions including adaptive training systems and cognitive tutors, decision-making aids, modeling & simulation, and human systems integration to improve Navy and Marine Corps Capabilities in manpower and personnel, training and education and human systems design. 

Solutions from diverse areas such as behavioral, biological, physiological, computational, and cognitive sciences and the engineering and modeling disciplines are encouraged.

The objective is to mature basic research concepts and develop new technologies, methodologies, processes, systems and/ or devices to improve the human performance of tomorrow's Navy and Marine Corps Warfighters.

Capable Manpower is one of nine pillars in the Future Naval Capabilities (FNC) Program. Enabling Capabilities (EC) to close warfighter science and technology gaps are proposed and selected over a 2-3 year process that involves high-level Navy and Marine Corps oversight. Enabling Capabilities leverage basic research and emerging technologies in academia, industry, and the government to produce tangible products at the end of a 3-5 year period of applied research and advanced technology development. Products transition directly to Navy and Marine Corps acquisition programs of record.

Capable Manpower Enabling Capabilities:

Human Systems Integration: Performance improvement solutions that contribute to optimal readiness, improved performance, efficiency, and effectiveness for Naval Enterprise Systems such as ships, submarines, and undersea vehicles.  POC: William “Kip” Krebs, william.krebs@navy.mil

Navy Manpower and Personnel Modeling, Simulation, and Optimization Tools: Integrated decision support and analytical tools to forecast and assess the effects of enlisted and officer behavior (e.g., recruitment, retention, career decisions, education benefits, etc.) resulting from both proposed and current Navy policy decisions.  POC: William “Kip” Krebs, william.krebs@navy.mil

Information Architecture for Improved Decision Making: An information architecture to support decision-making aids which integrate data for team planning and execution of critical missions, improving efficiency and performance.  POC: William “Kip” Krebs, william.krebs@navy.mil

Adaptive Training to Enhance Individual and Team Learning and Performance: Training systems to develop critical thinking, decision making, problem solving and team interaction skills which adapt to the learner, providing tailored learning experiences in real-time.  POC: William “Kip” Krebs, william.krebs@navy.mil

Naval Next-Generation Immersive Technology: Immersive training technologies utilized without a fixed facility with computer generated entities to replace role players and enhanced and improved methods and technologies for perceptual skills in urban combat environments.  POC: Peter Squire, peter.squire@navy.mil

Performance Shaping Functions for Environmental Stressors: Integrating validated human performance shaping algorithms into current modeling practices and systems engineering toolsets for improved system and platform designs.  POC: Amy Bolton, amy.bolton@navy.mil

Live, Virtual & Constructive Training Fidelity: Training solutions for Naval Aviation providing technology to safely distinguish between live and synthetic training entities; improved fidelity of synthetic environments; and algorithms for realistic behavior of Semi-Automated Forces (SAF).  POC: Amy Bolton, amy.bolton@navy.mil

Simulation Toolset for the Analysis of Missions, Personnel and Systems: Planned investment in manpower planning and optimization models and simulations for improved ship design and acquisition and investment in ship manpower reduction.  POC: William “Kip” Krebs, william.krebs@navy.mil

Additional Resources

In developing our core 6.2 and 6.3 Science and Technology (S&T) investment program, the Capable Manpower FNC IPT focused on identifying and filling capability gaps, fulfilling commitments to funded acquisition programs, and designing a strategy that would provide the wherewithal to execute the program. The fiscal year 2011 program of record is described in this Capable Manpower Future Naval Warfighter Capability presentation.