Energy & Water
ESTCP scouts and demonstrates commercial technologies that advance energy and water security and reduce costs associated with installation operations. Technology demonstrations conducted at installations provide developers a low-risk opportunity to test product performance when integrated with legacy systems, operated under real-world conditions, and subject to DoD-specific requirements. Demonstrations also accelerate technology adoption by collecting cost and performance data and providing installation managers hands-on technology experience without the financial risk of a product procurement.
Conservation
To conduct its mission, the Department of Defense (DoD) manages 28 million acres of natural and built infrastructure across a wide variety of ecosystems and geographies around the globe. DoD lands provide the contiguous, unencumbered spaces needed to closely replicate the operational environment of assigned missions, and the same training lands must be available for numerous units to train over time. Wildfires, flooding, exotic species invasion, dust emissions, and other challenges to training and testing environments require careful management. SERDP and ESTCP produce tools and technologies that maximize the number of training days and mission readiness.
Chemicals & Materials
Defense assets are made from and depend on the availability of commodity chemicals and materials. SERDP and ESTCP maximize weapons systems and platforms performance and capabilities while reducing the environmental and toxicological impact of defense operations.
Natural Hazards
Natural disasters hinder DoD mission readiness and have proven costly to installation infrastructure with billions in damage repair in recent years. As natural hazards increase in frequency and severity, SERDP and ESTCP investments equip DoD leaders with world-class decision support to preserve mission-critical operations and protect Servicemembers and their families. The programs develop technologies that pinpoint vulnerabilities to DoD installation infrastructure and improve deployment of ~$4 billion annual installation resilience investment.
PFAS
SERDP and ESTCP have funded hundreds of projects that have quickly and significantly advanced our understanding and management of PFAS in the environment. Our projects evaluate a range of potential treatment technologies, ecotoxicological effects, and improved AFFF site characterization.
Other Chemicals of Concern
SERDP and ESTCP, in support of the Defense Environmental Restoration Program, address the legacy of past practices while supporting current and emerging testing and training requirements by advancing the knowledge needed to prevent future environmental damage on and around military installations.
UXO
As a result of past military training and weapons testing activities, UXO exist on sites designated for Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) on Formerly Used Defense Sites (FUDS) and other closed ranges on active installations. SERDP and ESTCP develop and demonstrate innovative technologies that can characterize and scientifically manage sites affected by military munitions.
