Enterprise Transformational Appld Research
This program element develops multidisciplinary applied research efforts to accelerate the technology pipeline of transformational capabilities by reducing risk and maturing technologies so they can transition in support of larger advanced technology development capability investments. These activities are selected to enable solutions to the Department of the Air Force's (DAF's) highest priorities. The Explore effort creates investments to buy-down risk and accelerate enabling technologies to understand feasibility for future integration into 6.3 Future AF Integrated Technology Demo program. The Seedlings for Disruptive Capabilities Program (SDCP) facilitates Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) cross-disciplinary applied research to provide leap-ahead, high-risk high-payoff technology development. Modeling, simulation, and analysis activities will continue to explore transformational research into analytic technologies to validate capabilities and provide solid foundations for future efforts. These activities focus on predicting future outcomes and technology needs, as well as looking for more seedlings to feed the transformational capability pipeline. Efforts advance future workforce development projects and broaden partnerships to deepen and expand the scientific and technology enterprise. Applied research efforts span a broad spectrum of activities, and established processes allow agility and flexibility to meet higher demand signals while ensuring proper technical and financial execution metrics are met. AFRL plans and manages these funds at the enterprise level to achieve high levels of collaboration executed across all the applicable Technology Directorates and applies the research toward disruptive capabilities. Building from the technology competencies and ecosystems of the Technology Directorates brings together the needed diverse expertise and components to develop the transformational capabilities. This program includes funding for the requisite DAF Science & Engineering (S&E) and mission enabling civilian workforce with the necessary technical competencies to develop, manage, and deliver science & technology capabilities.
- Continue energy investments in power generation, energy storage, energy transfer, and transformative ways to provide power for resilient basing. - Continue, from newly identified efforts, investments in artificial intelligence/ machine learning tools to identify novel materials and efficiencies. - Continue, work commenced in FY 2026…
Read the FY2027 plan →- Complete research in distributed coherent radars for Unmanned Areial Vehicle (UAV) swarms developing magnitude improvements in detection range and target location accuracy. - Pause completion research in optimizing and affordably manufacturing long range weapons. - Continue project to develop digitally programmable meta surfaces for…
Read the FY2027 plan →FY2027 planned work - Continue modeling, simulation, & analyses enabling quick validation of projects and providing a solid foundation for predicting future outcomes. - Pause internships and undergraduate research opportunities to build the science and technology workforce pipeline. - Continue "Savage Future", connecting warfighters with the science and technology community, enabling understanding of both the problems and optimal solutions to accelerate results. - Pause the AFRL MidWest Regional Network, and pause the AFRL MidAtlantic Network, building a collaborative network of small business, large business, academia, and ventures to risk reduce key dual purpose technology solutions addressing DAF…
FY2026 to FY2027 change FY 2027 decreased compared to FY 2026 by $8.172 million due to a 61% decreased emphasis on collaboration with academia and regional hub efforts. Continuing portfolio activities have been appropriately rescoped. This reduction reflects programmatic adjustments to the DAF Science and Technology portfolio for strategic realignment to optimize core research areas and improve resource efficiency.
FY2026 plans — current year - Continue modeling, simulation, & analyses enabling validated positions and providing a solid foundation for predicting future outcomes based on potential S&T investment opportunities. - Continue internships and undergraduate research opportunities to build the science and technology workforce pipeline. - Continue "Savage Future", connecting warfighters with the science and technology community, enabling understanding of both the problems and optimal solutions to accelerate results. - Continue the AFRL MidAtlantic and MidWest Regional Networks, building a collaborative network of small business, large business, academia, and ventures to risk reduce key dual purpose technology solutions…