# HBCU University Affiliated Research Center (UARC) — Program Element 0602022F

**Program element:** 0602022F  
**Component:** U.S. Air Force  
**Appropriation:** 3600 — RDT&E, Air Force  
**Budget Activity:** 2 — Applied Research  
**Vintage:** President's Budget PB2027  
**Canonical URL:** https://hitchintel.com/programs/0602022F

## Summary

U.S. Air Force funding falls 100% to a $0.0M request in FY2027.

## Funding profile

| Fiscal Year | Estimate Type | Amount ($M) |
|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | Actual | 7.9 |
| FY2026 | Enacted | 6.2 |
| FY2027 | Request | 0.0 |
| FY2028 | Outyear | 0.0 |
| FY2029 | Outyear | 0.0 |
| FY2030 | Outyear | 0.0 |
| FY2031 | Outyear | 0.0 |

> Estimate types are not summed — the profile mixes actuals, enacted law, the request, and outyear projections.

## Projects (1)

| Project | Title | FY2025 actual | FY2026 enacted | FY2027 request | Move |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 622408 | HBCU University Affiliated Research Center (UARC) | 7.9 | 6.2 | 0.0 | −100% |

> Projects are the summable leaves: the program element total is their sum, never added to it.

### Project 622408 — HBCU University Affiliated Research Center (UARC)

The Tactical Autonomy University Affiliated Research Center (UARC) supports a consortium performing innovative research to advance the state of the art as well as cultivate awareness of and expertise in the field of tactical autonomy. Research topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following: Trust in Mission Autonomy, Collaboration between Platforms, and Human Machine Teaming. This program is accomplished by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). AFRL is focused on high-impact, multi-domain science & technology (S&T) solutions that drive innovation now while laying the groundwork for the Air and Space Force to win the future fight. AFRL effectively synchronizes the Department of the Air Force (DAF) S&T enterprise and workforce to align towards the most consequential DAF priorities and accelerate the delivery of game-changing S&T. This research initiative supports the Department of War (DoD) and DAF Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Strategic Plans by establishing sustained research expertise in tactical autonomy through a consortium of leading universities. It will advance autonomous systems critical for future conflicts, especially where conventional strength is contested or command and control is degraded by cyber or electronic warfare. In addition to advancing defense technology, it will strengthen university research capacity, support early-career STEM development, and grow a pipeline of graduates equipped with national security expertise to serve in both government and the defense industrial base. Funds in this program element are planned to investigate, design, develop, digitize, and/or analyze specified technology advancements in air, space, ground, sea, and/or cyber domains. In order to manage, execute, and deliver science and technology capabilities, this program element may include: necessary civilian pay expenses; expenses to support the operation and maintenance of facilities; as well as expenses related to travel, supplies, IT hardware, software and support, etc. This program is in Budget Activity 2, Applied Research because this budget activity includes studies, investigations, and non-system specific technology efforts directed toward general military needs with a view toward developing and evaluating the feasibility and practicality of proposed solutions and determining their parameters.

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| University Affiliated Research Center (UARC) for Tactical Autonomy | 7.9 | 6.2 | 0.0 |

> R-2A activities carry the prior, current and budget year only — no five-year plan. Coverage is partial, so count them, never total them.

## Related program elements

- [0207039F — Cognitive Electronic Warfare](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0207039F) (Air Force)
- [0305103C — Cyber Security Initiative](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0305103C) (Defense-Wide)
- [0601104A — University and Industry Research Centers](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0601104A) (Army)
- [0603595N — SSBN New Design](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0603595N) (Navy)

## Source & machine access

- **Source:** FY2027 Department of the Air Force RDT&E Budget Justification, Exhibits R-2/R-3, PE 0602022F (PB PB2027).
- **MCP:** `mcp.hitchintel.com` — `budget_get_program_element(pe="0602022F")`.

*HitchAI is an independent intelligence service, not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Defense. Budget figures are requests/estimates, not obligations.*