What project 625328 buys
This project conducts research to optimize, safe-guard, and restore the cognitive and physical performance of the multi-domain Department of the Air Force (DAF) warfighter in all mission environments. Research is focused in the following thrust areas: 1) Applied Cognitive Neurosciences: technologies to sustain, augment, and recover operator performance; 2) Biotechnology for Performance: research in systems biology, synthetic biology, and risk assessment; 3) Performance Sensing and Assessment: technologies to sense and forecast operator state based on physiological, molecular, and environmental signatures related to mission performance; and 4) Performance Impact of Flight: elucidate how air environments affect processes of life and the ability to maintain physiological equilibrium and develop countermeasures and technologies to sustain, enhance, and restore operator performance.
Project 625328 funding, FY2025–FY2031
Prior years are actuals, the budget year is the request, and the outyears are the FYDP plan. Estimate types are colored and never summed into one figure. Projects carry the full five-year plan; the activities inside them stop at the budget year.
| Fiscal Year | Estimate Type | Amount ($M) |
|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | Actual | 44.6 |
| FY2026 | Enacted | 32.9 |
| FY2027 | Request | 13.9 |
| FY2028 | Outyear | 14.3 |
| FY2029 | Outyear | 22.1 |
| FY2030 | Outyear | 22.3 |
| FY2031 | Outyear | 23.1 |
4 accomplishments / planned programs
The R-2A exhibit — the only level of the budget that describes work that has not happened yet. Activities carry the prior, current and budget year only, no five-year plan. Coverage is partial across the corpus, so count activities, never total them.
FY2027 planned work -Continue developing methods to communicate cognitive states to AI by completing a workload assessment app for delivery to Air Force Global Strike Command. -Continue modeling superior decision-making by developing and delivering the final research report on this topic. -Complete evaluations of BMI applications by transitioning the in-house developed cognitive workload assessment app to its Air Force Global Strike Command customer. -Complete the development of BCI algorithms by submitting a final report evaluating the efficacy of tVNS and biofeedback interventions for accelerating learning in simulated piloting tasks. -Complete the evaluation of neuromodulation technologies by transitioning…
FY2026 to FY2027 change FY 2027 decreased compared to FY 2026 by 7.145 million due to the successful conclusion and transition of major research efforts. Key deliverables include a final report on tVNS for accelerated learning, the transition of a cognitive workload app to Air Force Global Strike Command, and the transition of fatigue management technology to multiple operational commands. 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 evaluating brain-machine interface (BMI) applications that enhance human-machine teaming by constructing algorithms to accurately predict workload and fatigue during flight simulator tasks. -Continue developing algorithms to assess Airman cognitive state via passive brain-computer interfaces (BCI) and evaluating the efficacy of transdermal vagal nerve stimulation (tVNS) to accelerate learning in piloting tasks. -Continue constructing methods to communicate an Airman's cognitive state to AI-enabled technology by developing neural net-based models of cognitive state predictors for lab simulations. -Continue modeling neural patterns associated with enhanced decision-making and…
FY2027 planned work -Continue developing human digital engineering algorithms by back-testing models for cognitive workload, fatigue, and operational stress against collected flight-test data to verify an AFLCMC integration pathway. -Continue enhancing technology for musculoskeletal health by expanding sparse sensing solutions at AETC and Air Combat Command sites to improve pilot retention. -Continue the digital transformation of data infrastructure by integrating contextually rich data from simulated and operational environments to create AI-ready data for model development. -Continue aerospace physiology research by evaluating an aircrew's supervisory control capacity during a simulated human-machine teaming…
FY2026 to FY2027 change FY 2027 decreased compared to FY 2026 by 0.732 million due to minor programmatic adjustments to the DAF Science and Technology portfolio. The conclusion of dedicated research conducted for the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) on aircrew injury assessment and Onboard Oxygen Generation System (OBOGS) performance contributes to this decrease.
FY2026 plans — current year -Continue developing human digital engineering algorithms and models for fighter and bomber aircraft design, including testing models for respiratory distress and G-load loss of consciousness against flight-test data. -Continue vetting technology solutions for evaluating musculoskeletal function, including demonstrating sparse, low-cost inertial measurement systems at Air Education and Training Command training sites. -Continue the digital transformation of data infrastructure to create AI-ready data for modeling by implementing real-time synchronization of simulated environmental exposures. -Complete research for Air Force customers on aircrew injury assessment and Onboard Oxygen…
FY2027 planned work - Due to due to re-prioritization to meet the nation's future security needs Performance Sensing and Assessment effort will be completing in FY 2026 and no activities are planned for FY 2027.
FY2026 to FY2027 change FY 2027 decreased compared to FY 2026 by $5.850 million due to the ability to leverage commercial advances in this research area. 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 -Complete rapid biological recognition element selection, including methods to collect and analyze biomarkers in interstitial fluid and sweat. -Complete developing electrochemical and field effect transistor-based biomarker sensing platforms, including wearable and environmental sensors for aircrew during long-duration missions. -Complete optimizing synthetic biology capabilities to deliver biochemical interventions and developing data analytics to identify biosignatures relevant to Air Force and Space Force conditions. -Complete identifying and optimizing bio-molecular mechanisms to sense cognitive function, fatigue, and stress in console operators. -Complete developing data analytics from…
FY2027 planned work - Due to re-prioritization to meet the nation's future security needs Biotechnology for Performance will be ending in FY 2026 and no expenditures are planned for FY 2027.
FY2026 to FY2027 change FY 2027 decreased compared to FY 2026 by $5.411 million due to ability to leverage commercial advances in this research area. 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 -Complete using advanced bio-data analytics and bioinformatics to analyze biological mechanisms in Airmen, leveraging a large-scale cohort to develop predictive algorithms for physical and cognitive states. -Complete advancing microfluidic "organ-on-a-chip" platforms to simulate multi-organ systems and characterize the neurotoxic effects of chemical and biological exposures. -Complete validation trials of an engineered probiotic designed to mitigate fatigue and enhance cognitive performance, including determining its efficacy in laboratory and controlled field settings.