# Air Platform Applied Research — Program Element 0602183A

**Program element:** 0602183A  
**Component:** U.S. Army  
**Appropriation:** 2040 — RDT&E, Army  
**Budget Activity:** 2 — Applied Research  
**Vintage:** President's Budget PB2027  
**Canonical URL:** https://hitchintel.com/programs/0602183A

## Summary

U.S. Army funding falls 31% to a $43.7M request in FY2027, sustained across the five-year plan. In the FY2027 defense authorization, the House added 23% (to $53.7M); the Senate added 23% (to $53.7M); House appropriators added 41% (to $61.7M).

## Funding profile

| Fiscal Year | Estimate Type | Amount ($M) |
|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | Actual | 38.1 |
| FY2026 | Enacted | 63.3 |
| FY2027 | Request | 43.7 |
| FY2028 | Outyear | 69.8 |
| FY2029 | Outyear | 75.1 |
| FY2030 | Outyear | 74.6 |
| FY2031 | Outyear | 74.9 |

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

## Congressional marks (FY2027)

| Stage | Marked ($M) | Change ($M) |
|---|---|---|
| Request | 43.7 | — |
| House NDAA (HASC) | 53.7 | +10.0 |
| Senate NDAA (SASC) | 53.7 | +10.0 |
| House Approps (HAC-D) | 61.7 | +18.0 |

> FY2027 NDAA authorization marks, as of 2026-07-27. Not appropriations or final law.

## Projects (12)

| Project | Title | FY2025 actual | FY2026 enacted | FY2027 request | Move |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CU7 | Control & Autonomy for Tactical Superiority Tech | 5.6 | 8.3 | 10.4 | +26% |
| DK1 | Air Vehicle Integrated & Alternative Tech (AVIATe) | 2.6 | 8.4 | 10.3 | +23% |
| CW5 | Experimental and Computational Aeromechanics Tech | 5.3 | 10.3 | 5.3 | −48% |
| CU8 | Structures Tech for Enduring Efficient Resilience | 1.0 | 1.5 | 4.9 | +225% |
| CW3 | Advanced Rotors Applied Technology | 1.9 | 1.5 | 4.9 | +213% |
| CU9 | Systems Design Technology | 4.3 | 7.2 | 4.3 | −40% |
| CN1 | Disruptive Countermeasure Concepts for Aviation | 6.6 | 7.1 | 3.5 | −50% |
| CT5 | Air Platform Applied Research (CA) | — | 10.0 | — | −100% |
| CW4 | Air Vehicle Structures and Dynamics Tech | 2.1 | 4.1 | — | −100% |
| DE2 | Airborne Threat Defeat | 5.6 | 1.9 | — | −100% |
| CW7 | High Speed and Efficient VTOL Vehicle Tech | 2.1 | 1.6 | — | −100% |
| DC2 | High Performance Computing for Rotorcraft Apl Tech | 1.0 | 1.4 | — | −100% |

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

### Project CU7 — Control & Autonomy for Tactical Superiority Tech

This project will develop and flight-validate new approaches and tools applicable to advanced high-speed configurations being considered for Future Vertical Lift (FVL) and transition to industry to ensure that FVL aircraft meet Army requirements. Work in this project may also address and be applied to the needs of other Army and specific DoW aviation systems. Research in this project is fully coordinated with PE 0603043A (Air Platform Advanced Technology) / Project CV1 (Control & Autonomy for Tactical Superiority Adv). Work in this project is performed by Aviation & Missile Center (AvMC).

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adaptive Tactical Autonomy and Control (ATAC) Tech | 5.2 | 6.2 | 5.6 |
| Perception Enhanced Autonomous Control (PEAC) | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.9 |
| Autonomy for Combat Environment Sustainment (ACES) | — | 1.7 | 3.9 |

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

### Project DK1 — Air Vehicle Integrated & Alternative Tech (AVIATe)

This project enhances Army aviation mission capability and addresses operational energy challenges. Includes the development, maturation, and system design of technologies including advanced engines, hybrid and electric systems, power and control allocation, propulsive power delivery, electric actuation, structures, and other technologies that enhance performance, efficiency or are critical to implementation. Work in this project is fully coordinated with Program Element (PE) 0603043A (Air Platform Advanced Technology) / Project DK2 (Air Vehicle Improvements & Advanced Tech (AVIATe)). Work in this project is performed by the Aviation & Missile Center (AvMC).

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid-Electric Aviation Technology (HEAT) | 1.6 | 5.0 | 2.9 |
| Supplemental Power Efficient Engines and Drives (SPEED) | 1.0 | 3.4 | 4.7 |
| Future Architecture Improvements for MOSA (FAIM) | — | — | 2.7 |

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

### Project CW5 — Experimental and Computational Aeromechanics Tech

This project develops, investigates, and validates new high fidelity, high-performance-computing methods through both simulation and experimentation of aerodynamic flow physics and resulting aeroelastic effects for emerging rotorcraft designs that could be incorporated into Future Vertical Lift (FVL) concepts and other Army and DoW aviation systems or devices. Research in this project is fully coordinated with PE 0603043A (Air Platform Advanced Technology). Work in this project is performed by Aviation & Missile Center (AvMC).

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Experimental Aeromechanics | 3.6 | 7.8 | 2.6 |
| Computational Aeromechanics | 1.6 | 2.5 | 2.7 |

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

### Project CU8 — Structures Tech for Enduring Efficient Resilience

This project will ensure critical structures technologies providing improved weight efficiency, fatigue tolerance, parasitic weight avoidance, and integration / synergy opportunities will transition to Advanced Technology Development tasks to later provide Future Vertical Lift (FVL) Project Management Offices and Original Equipment Manufacturers mission performance benefit in terms of range/payload, survivability, sustainment, and operational availability. Research in this project may also address and be applied to the needs of other Army and specific DoW aviation systems. Research in this project is fully coordinated with PE 0603043A (Air Platform Advanced Technology) / Project CV2 (Structures Platform Int Resilience & Efficiency). Work in this project is performed by Aviation & Missile Center (AvMC).

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multifunctional Advanced Structural Concepts (MASC) | 1.0 | — | — |
| Structural Concepts Advancing Mission Performance (SCAMP) | — | 1.5 | 4.9 |

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

### Project CW3 — Advanced Rotors Applied Technology

This project investigates Future Vertical Lift (FVL) and other Army and DoW aviation systems technologies that mature high speed and highly efficient rotor and hub system designs. Research in this project is fully coordinated with PE 0603043A (Air Platform Advanced Technology) / Project CX1 (Advanced Rotors Advanced Tech). Work in this project is performed by Aviation & Missile Center (AvMC).

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Innovative Rotor Blade Manufacturing Processes | 1.9 | 1.5 | — |
| High Performance Rotors | — | — | 4.9 |

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

### Project CU9 — Systems Design Technology

This project will leverage large datasets and advances in multi-disciplinary optimization techniques, incorporate higher fidelity analysis, and machine learning techniques to improve predictions of emerging aviation requirements and system complexity. Research in this project is fully coordinated with Program Element (PE) 0603043A (Air Platform Advanced Technology). Work in this project is performed by Aviation & Missile Center (AvMC).

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concept Design and Optimization Methods | 4.3 | 5.2 | 4.3 |
| Aerodynamics, structural dynamics & flight control simulations of Advanced Configurations | — | 1.0 | — |
| Advanced measurements & diagnostic techniques for high-quality validation data | — | 0.5 | — |
| Development of control laws, handling qualities, and flying qualities for emerging configurations | — | 0.5 | — |

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

### Project CN1 — Disruptive Countermeasure Concepts for Aviation

This project investigates advanced technologies to reduce Future Vertical Lift (FVL) platform susceptibility and vulnerability to damage from guided and unguided threats, as well as technologies to defeat small arms, rocket, and missile threats. This project performs research and develops innovative detect and defeat technologies against next -generation threats to the FVL. Areas of research include new laser materials and designs for in-band, low size, weight, power, and cost (SWaP-C) precision laser soft-kill countermeasures operating in the mid- and long-wave infrared, lethality effects of ultrashort pulsed lasers, and sensitive radio frequency (SeRF) detection modality for use as aircraft survivability equipment (ASE). In addition, this project will also perform research and development on the use of remotely-deployed, passive multi-modal sensors to localize threat ground vehicles and discriminate decoys. Work in this project is fully coordinated with Program Element (PE) 0602146A (Network C3I Technology) / Project AN7 (COE - Every Receiver is a Sensor Technology), PE 0602148A (Future Vertical Lift Technology) / Project CH3 (Holistic Team Survivability Technology), PE 0603463A (Network C3I Advanced Technology) / Project AN8 (COE - Every Receiver is a Sensor Advanced Tech), and PE 0603465A (Future Vertical Lift Advanced Technology) / Project AL1 (Adv Teaming for Tactical Aviation Oper Adv Tech). Work in this project is performed by Army Research Laboratory (ARL).

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cognitive Countermeasures Technology Development | 2.1 | 1.7 | — |
| Deep Autonomous Sensing | 4.5 | 5.5 | 3.5 |

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

### Project CT5 — Air Platform Applied Research (CA)

Congressional Interest Item funding provided for Air Platform Applied Research.

### Project CW4 — Air Vehicle Structures and Dynamics Tech

This project develops modeling tools, methodologies, and experimental platforms needed to research aircraft including small uncrewed systems, traditional crewed Future Vertical Lift (FVL) platforms, and Launched Effects (LE). Research in this project focuses on low noise and aero elastically stable rotor technologies, reconfigurable and multi-mission aircraft, simulation, and advanced flight controls. This research enables high speed flight, longer range and endurance, increased maneuverability, and lower noise signatures from handheld to full-scale crewed platforms. Research in this project is also applicable to the family of FVL manned and unmanned platforms. Research in this project is fully coordinated with Program Element (PE) 0603465A (Future Vertical Lift Advanced Technology Development). Research in this project is performed by Army Research Laboratory (ARL).

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Vehicle Structures and Dynamics Technologies | 2.1 | 1.1 | — |
| Adaptive Structures and Control for Precise Complex Effects | — | 3.0 | — |

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

### Project DE2 — Airborne Threat Defeat

Airborne Threat Defeat addresses the need to engage and disorient guided threats. Work in this project complements Program Element (PE) 0603465A (Future Vertical Lift Advanced Technology) / Project CA8 (Adv Rotocraft Armaments Protection Sys). Work in this project is performed by the Armaments Center (AC).

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airborne Threat Defeat Tech | 5.6 | — | — |
| Holistic Airborne Defeat Applied Research | — | 1.9 | — |

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

### Project CW7 — High Speed and Efficient VTOL Vehicle Tech

This project designs and develops material component technologies and dynamic models to enable future generation capabilities for Future Vertical Lift (FVL) platforms. This project is focused on improving range, payload, and endurance performance as well as reliability and maintainability metrics. The outcomes from the efforts within this project will be applicable to the Family of Future Vertical Lift manned and unmanned platforms. Work in this project is fully coordinated with Program Element (PE) 0602183A (Air Platform Applied Research) / Project CW8 (Next Generation Aviation Transmission Apl Tech). Work in this project is performed by Army Research Laboratory (ARL).

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| High Speed Efficient Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL )Vehicle Technologies | 2.1 | 1.6 | — |

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

### Project DC2 — High Performance Computing for Rotorcraft Apl Tech

This project investigates and validates aeromechanics modeling and simulation tools for Future Vertical Lift (FVL) and other Army and DoW aviation systems and platforms. Research efforts in this project are also applicable to the family of FVL manned and unmanned platforms. Work in this project is fully coordinated with PE 0603043A (Air Platform Advanced Technology) / Project DC3 (HPC for Army Aviation Concepts). Work in this project is performed by Aviation & Missile Center (AvMC).

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| High Performance Computing for Aviation Applications | 1.0 | 1.4 | — |

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

## Mission & acquisition strategy

This PE undertakes applied research efforts that support and enable the overall Army Aviation portfolio in general, and the Army's modernization priority for future vertical lift (FVL). Vital and enduring applied research is conducted in the air portfolio that supports mid-to-long term requirements in contested operational environments and technologies that have broad application to FVL modernization, as well as overall Army and specific DoW aviation needs.

## Related program elements

- [0603043A — Air Platform Advanced Technology](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0603043A) (Army)
- [0605830A — Aviation Ground Support Equipment](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0605830A) (Army)
- [0605649D8Z — Acquisition Integration and Interoperability (AI2)](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0605649D8Z) (Defense-Wide)
- [0604414F — Cyber Resiliency of Weapon Systems-ACS](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0604414F) (Air Force)

## Source & machine access

- **Source:** FY2027 Department of the Army RDT&E Budget Justification, Exhibits R-2/R-3, PE 0602183A (PB PB2027); FY2027 NDAA committee marks (as of 2026-07-27).
- **MCP:** `mcp.hitchintel.com` — `budget_get_program_element(pe="0602183A")`.

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