Joint Operational Assessment
Our analysts work directly with Joint Commanders (Combatant Commands [COCOMs]) and operating forces in the field to assess the utility and spiral development of new weapons and technologies. Our long-range concept development, applied technical and engineering experience, and institutional memory tackle broad national security challenges at every level. APL supports the Joint Chiefs of Staff in its implementation of the JCIDS (Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System) process, a capabilities-based approach that better leverages the expertise of all government agencies, industry, and academia to identify improvements to existing capabilities and to develop new warfighting capabilities. APL provides analytical, technical, and modeling and simulation expertise to identify prioritized capability gaps and resolves them with integrated material and nonmaterial solutions. Solutions are developed, evaluated, and prioritized based on their contribution to future joint operations. APL analysts identify or develop appropriate operational scenarios, identify critical capabilities and attributes, specify appropriate measures of effectiveness, and perform quantitative analyses to identify and prioritize gaps, shortfalls, and redundancies as part of these joint capability-based assessments.