During a 2021 visit to the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), Lt. Gen. Scott Spellmon, the 55th Chief of Engineers and Commanding General of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USA CE), issued a challenge to elevate and open a bold new era for USACE R&D. Responding to that challenge, USACE leaders developed the USACE Research and Development Strategy and identified the Top 10 US ACE R&D Priorities to address the nation's toughest challenges through multi-disciplinary, collaborative and proactive approaches. These priorities span all USACE missions - Warfighter Support, Installations and Operational Environment Support, Interagency and International Services, Military Engineering and Operations, and Civil Works. USACE endorsed six Civil Works Strategic Focus Areas (SFAs) to address these unique challenges. SFAs represent capabilities required for USACE to achieve these Top 10 R&D priorities by innovating and developing solutions to problems impacting Civil Works mission delivery now and i
