# Project 0000 — Power Proj Applied Research

**Program element:** 0602114N — Power Proj Applied Research  
**Project:** 0000  
**Component:** U.S. Navy  
**Appropriation:** 1319 — RDT&E, Navy  
**Budget Activity:** 2 — Applied Research  
**Vintage:** President's Budget PB2027  
**Canonical URL:** https://hitchintel.com/programs/0602114N/0000  
**Parent:** https://hitchintel.com/programs/0602114N

## Summary

Project 0000 — Power Proj Applied Research requests $38.8M in FY2027, 100% of the $38.8M requested for program element 0602114N, up 27% on FY2026. 3 R-2A activities decompose the request.

## Funding profile

| Fiscal Year | Estimate Type | Amount ($M) |
|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | Actual | 24.8 |
| FY2026 | Enacted | 30.6 |
| FY2027 | Request | 38.8 |
| FY2028 | Outyear | 43.8 |
| FY2029 | Outyear | 45.6 |
| FY2030 | Outyear | 44.6 |
| FY2031 | Outyear | 43.9 |

> Estimate types are not summed. This project is one leaf of PE 0602114N; the PE total is the sum of its projects, never added to them.

## What project 0000 buys

In an Artificial Intelligence (AI) enabled maritime battlespace, the ability to fight at the speed of light will determine the outcome. The effective defense against threats increasingly beyond human speed, will enable U.S. naval forces to outthink, outmaneuver and outfight adversaries. This Program Element (PE) supports both advanced technology research and near to mid-term transition opportunities. The advanced research focus is primarily on Directed Energy, High Speed Weapon Propulsion, Electro-Optic/Infrared (EO/IR) Sensor Technologies, and Naval Precision Strike Decision Tools and Planning. The goal of this research is to develop technologies and capabilities that enable Directed Energy (DE) weapons as well as defense against adversary DE systems; the development of vehicle and propulsion technology for high-speed weapons operating from Mach 3 and beyond; investment in the areas of Electro Optic/Infrared devices and advanced sensors; and technologies that provide the navy of the future the ability to quickly locate, target, and strike critical targets in the maritime environment and ashore.

## Activities (R-2A) — 3

| Activity | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 | Move | Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High Speed Propulsion and Advanced Weapon Technologies | 14.6 | 15.0 | 27.9 | +86% | [a1](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0602114N/0000/a1) |
| Directed Energy | 6.1 | 7.1 | 5.6 | −21% | — |
| Navigation, Electro Optic/Infrared (EO/IR), and Sensor Technologies | 4.2 | 8.5 | 5.3 | −37% | — |

> Activities carry the prior, current and budget year only — no five-year plan. In the request year they partition this project exactly; in earlier years they can under-cover it.

### High Speed Propulsion and Advanced Weapon Technologies

Continue: - Development and characterization of ultra-high temperature metamaterials and structures to enable, sensing, flow control, power generation, and improved aero-thermo-mechanical performance of aeroshells and high-speed propulsion systems. - Development of efficient, predictive computational tools for high-speed, air-breathing…

Full year-by-year narrative: https://hitchintel.com/programs/0602114N/0000/a1

### Directed Energy

**FY2027 planned work.** DE Lethality and Operations Analysis (OA) Initiate: - Directed energy modeling/simulation framework for operations analysis - Battle damage assessment tools via sensors and algorithms - Kinetic/non-kinetic coordination tools with directed energy inclusion - Real-world representative target testing and lethality - Sensor applications analysis supporting Fleet and Marine Corps operations concepts High Power Microwave (HPM) Initiate: - Develop/test functional integrated HPM prototypes validating novel DE concept feasibility - Demonstrate controlled HPM effects in laboratory/limited field environments - Develop multi-shot solid-state HPM systems delivering multiple rapid high-power pulses Continue: - Novel HPM sensors including electronic Battle Damage Indication (eBDI) - AI for HEL & HPM systems increasing maritime operational lethality - HPM use in EM Maneuver Warfare and Integrated Defense understanding - HPM effects/lethality through RF coupling, device interaction physics, time-reversal techniques for optimized threat-agnostic defeat waveforms - HPM engagement systems range testing - System/mission level performance analysis and modeling - State-of-the-Art HPM low-profile steerable antennas; high energy density capacitors, solid-state switches, power supplies, hardened controls - HPM wide-bandwidth frequency agile amplifiers - Open architecture HPM source development for effective CONEMPS - Self-contained HPM prototypes with integrated sensor/C2 capabilities for UAS swarm defense - Solid-state/vacuum electronic HPM sources for flexible cross-spectrum waveforms Pulsed Laser (PL) Initiate: - Development of techniques and technologies to mitigate the adverse effects of atmospheric conditions on pulse laser beam propagation - Develop and refine pulse laser sub-components for seamless integration into functional prototype systems - Requirements analysis relating functional requirements to operational needs - Pulse laser critical component maturity investigation - Laboratory/field pulse laser dynamic engagements against multiple maneuvering targets Complete: - Ultra Short Pulse Laser (USPL) propagation mechanisms/effects - USPL sub-component maturation and integration for prototype experimentation - USPL requirements analysis and functional design - USPL critical component prototyping/testing/validation - USPL precision dynamic engagements against multiple targets High Energy Laser (HEL)/Counter Directed Energy Weapons (CDEW) Continue: - HEL efficiency enhancement via solid-state diode/fiber laser technologies - Atmospheric blooming, laser-maritime environment interactions understanding - Laser detection/testing sensors improvements - Novel NIR, MWIR, LWIR lasers development - Novel beam-director architectures and high energy laser optics - Counter-HEL and counter-HPM capability development - Metamaterial research for Counter Directed Energy Weapons Initiate: - HEL wavelength agility enhancement for fiber laser technologies Electric Weapons Technology Continue: Applied science efforts into Electric Weapons Technology for near to mid-term deployment of electric weapons including high-power lasers, microwaves, directed energy systems, and electromagnetic launchers. Research areas: optical fiber fabrication, laser media, optical coatings, ultrafast bandgap photonic materials; beam control systems for atmospheric/underwater high-power electromagnetic radiation propagation; high-power microwave sources and antenna design; high-intensity laser/microwave damage mechanisms characterization; increasing pulsed power systems and electromagnetic launcher efficiency/lifetime; decreasing Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) while increasing robustness and automation.

**FY2026 to FY2027 change.** The funding decrease from FY26 to FY27 is due to the completion of multiple Pulsed Laser research efforts.

**FY2026 plans — current year.** HEL/CDEW Continue: - HEL efficiency enhancement via solid-state diode/fiber laser technologies - Atmospheric blooming, laser-maritime environment interactions understanding - Laser detection/testing sensors improvements - Novel NIR, MWIR, LWIR lasers development - Novel beam-director architectures and high energy laser optics - Counter-HEL and counter-HPM capability development Initiate: - Examine concepts in metamaterial research for Counter Directed Energy Weapons Complete: - Improved laser sensor and illuminator technologies - Improvements in fiber laser doped illuminating lasers at unique "eye-safer" wavelengths - Examination of new ceramic-metal composite nanomaterials, such as Carbon Nanotubes (CNT) for improved laser performance in solid state diode laser devices Pulsed Laser (PL) Continue: - Ultra Short Pulse Laser (USPL) propagation mechanisms/effects - USPL sub-component maturation and integration for prototype experimentation - USPL requirements analysis and functional design - USPL critical component prototyping/testing/validation - USPL precision dynamic engagements against multiple targets High Power Microwave (HPM) Continue: - Novel HPM sensors including electronic Battle Damage Indication (eBDI) - AI for HEL & HPM systems increasing maritime operational lethality - HPM use in EM Maneuver Warfare and Integrated Defense understanding - HPM effects/lethality through RF coupling, device interaction physics, time-reversal techniques for optimized threat-agnostic defeat waveforms - HPM engagement systems range testing - System/mission level performance analysis and modeling - State-of-the-Art HPM low-profile steerable antennas; high energy density capacitors, solid-state switches, power supplies, hardened controls - HPM wide-bandwidth frequency agile amplifiers - Open architecture HPM source development for effective CONEMPS - Self-contained HPM prototypes with integrated sensor/C2 capabilities for UAS swarm defense - Solid-state/vacuum electronic HPM sources for flexible cross-spectrum waveforms Electric Weapons Technology Continue: - Applied science efforts into Electric Weapons Technology for near to mid-term deployment of electric weapons including high-power lasers, microwaves, directed energy systems, and electromagnetic launchers. Research areas: optical fiber fabrication, laser media, optical coatings, ultrafast bandgap photonic materials; beam control systems for atmospheric/underwater high-power electromagnetic radiation propagation; high-power microwave sources and antenna design; high-intensity laser/microwave damage mechanisms characterization; increasing pulsed power systems and electromagnetic launcher efficiency/lifetime; decreasing Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) while increasing robustness and automation.

### Navigation, Electro Optic/Infrared (EO/IR), and Sensor Technologies

**FY2027 planned work.** - Initiate efforts into Surveillance Technolgies. The goal of these efforts is to conduct applied research to greatly enhance the RF sensing capabilities of systems optimized to detect signals reflected from targets. These systems can operate alone or as part of a distributed network and encompass systems operating across the Radio Frequency (RF) spectrum, from High Frequency (HF) to millimeter wave (MMW) frequencies. It encompasses enabling system concepts, technologies, architectures, and algorithms. Further, it develops concepts, techniques, and technologies to advance critical capabilities in advanced signal processing, waveform design, environmental characterization & adaptation, spectral maneuver capabilities, and provide robust operation despite the presence of interference. The objectives is to explore and develop new and innovative approaches, concepts, and technologies that provide the navy of the future the ability to quickly locate, target, and strike critical targets in the maritime. environment and ashore. - Continue efforts into Imaging IR Countermeasures. The technical objective of this task area is to research and develop state-of-the-art technologies that will be used to support the protection of naval platforms against Imaging Infrared (IIR) seekers. Research will be conducted across a broad area of Optic/Infrared (EO/IR) technologies including Artificial Intelligence (AI) processing, counter-AI processing obscurants, modeling and advanced simulation tools, adaptive optics and supporting technologies. This area develops innovative EO/IR sensing and countermeasure paradigms, to insure full EO/IR spectrum superiority. These technologies address near and emerging far term threats.

**FY2026 to FY2027 change.** Funding decrease from FY26 to FY27 is due to more focus being directed to other applied research areas which deal with sensor technology.

**FY2026 plans — current year.** - Continue efforts into Imaging IR Countermeasures. The technical objective of this task area is to research and develop state-of-the-art technologies that will be used to support the protection of naval platforms against Imaging Infrared (IIR) seekers. Research will be conducted across a broad area of Optic/Infrared (EO/IR) technologies including Artificial Intelligence (AI) processing, counter-AI processing obscurants, modeling and advanced simulation tools, adaptive optics and supporting technologies. This area develops innovative EO/IR sensing and countermeasure paradigms, to insure full EO/IR spectrum superiority. These technologies address near and emerging far term threats.

## What is NOT on this page

Congressional marks, the R-2 mission description and acquisition strategy, the industry vs government split of the whole request, and related program elements are recorded at **program-element** grain — an NDAA mark lands on a PE, never on a project. They are at https://hitchintel.com/programs/0602114N.

## Source & machine access

- **Source:** FY2027 Department of the Navy RDT&E Budget Justification, Exhibits R-2/R-2A/R-3, PE 0602114N project 0000 (PB PB2027).
- **MCP:** `mcp.hitchintel.com` — `budget_get_program_element(pe="0602114N")`.

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