Aerospace Systems Technologies

This project investigates, analyzes, and develops applied technologies that enable future multi-Mach, responsive high-speed/hypersonic weapons and platforms (vehicles) via modeling, simulation and analysis (MS&A), and ground and flight tests. The extreme conditions high-speed/hypersonic weapons and platforms are subjected to manifest as complex multi-disciplinary technical challenges, namely: structure/system durability, broad operability from Mach 0 to Mach 5+ (multi-Mach operability), vehicle-level integrated power and thermal management, and integration of mission systems. The development of technical solutions to these multi-disciplinary challenges at the subsystem level, and the subsequent integration of them at the system level, is critical to reduce the risk and time required to transition technologies into operational systems. Digital material management, and validation via ground test capability are utilized to develop and deliver an integrated digital environment (IDE) to assess technology, evaluate its impacts, and make capability-focused investment decisions. Aerospace Systems Technologies, received a Congressional add for FY2026 $2.500 million for Hypersonic high-speed aerodynamics research. Upon Congressional spend plan approval, an Internal Reprogramming (IR) will be processed aligning the funding to PE0601102F for proper execution.

This project develops air breathing engine technology to address military specific needs for manned systems, autonomous vehicles, and munition applications. Technology development includes Mission Optimized Air Breathing Propulsion Technology Development and Revolutionary Propulsion Technology Development by utilizing military utility and physics-based analysis.

This project is dedicated to advancing technologies for manned, remotely piloted, and autonomous aerospace vehicles, with a focus on achieving maximum performance and affordability. The development of advanced control, automation, and autonomy technologies is a key aspect, aiming to deliver safe and efficient vehicle operation and mission execution through the use of digital engineering, flight experimentation, and evaluation. These efforts contribute significantly to the development of reliable autonomous collaborative platforms, high-speed aircraft, and operational aircraft. Furthermore, the project encompasses the design of integrated electrical and thermal management components, controls, and systems for military aerospace applications, ensuring that the power and thermal needs of future aerospace capabilities can be met. By developing controls and system integration technologies, the project also ensures the interoperability of aircraft, power, thermal, engine, and other systems and subsystems, ultimately supporting the development of electrical power and thermal management components, controls, and systems suitable for various aircraft platforms, including autonomous collaborative platforms and future aircraft, while addressing reliability, maintainability, affordability, and supportability. In FY 2026 within PE 0602203F / Aerospace Systems Technologies all efforts and activities previously reported in project 623145 / Aerospace Power Technology were transferred to this project to enable acceleration of integrated system capabilities and capture realistic representation of work.

This project performs technology development to advance aerodynamic and structural systems of the aerospace vehicle to address Department of the Air Force capability needs and anticipated future capability needs. Requisite technology area competencies in design, analysis, synthesis, and validation, work in synergy with design integration of other aerospace vehicle systems to define and provide technology gap solutions.

This project develops rocket propulsion technologies for the design, development, and fabrication of strategic systems (including solid boost/missile motors, post boost control, aging and surveillance efforts), and tactical missiles. Analytical and experimental areas of emphasis are propellants, propellant management, combustion, rocket material applications, model-based system engineering, digital design of manufacture and test, test stand live-fire testing, and technology for sustainment of strategic systems. This project develops the next generation of physics-based Modeling, Simulation, and Analysis (MS&A) tools for rapid and agile missile propulsion design, analysis, and production, as well as the digital engineering concepts to manage the entire process of design, test, and validation of solid rocket motors through live-fire tests. All efforts in this project contribute to the sustainment of the rocket propulsion industry, providing rocket propulsion technology for the entire DoD. All efforts are reviewed by a DoD level steering committee yearly for relevance to DoD missions.

This project develops combined/advanced cycle air breathing high-speed and hypersonic propulsion technologies to provide revolutionary propulsion options for the Air Force. These new engine technologies will enable future high-speed/hypersonic weapons and aircraft concepts. The primary focus is on hydrocarbon-fueled engines capable of operating over a broad range of flight Mach numbers. Efforts include modeling, simulations, and proof of concept demonstrations of critical components; advanced component development; and ground-based demonstrations. FY 2026, within Program Element 0602203F/ Aerospace Systems Technologies, all efforts and activities previously reported and funded in this Project 623012/ Advanced Propulsion Technology were transferred to Project 622405/ High Speed Systems Technology enable acceleration of integrated system capabilities and capture realistic representation of work.

This project develops integrated electrical and thermal management components, controls and systems for military aerospace applications. Power component technologies are developed to increase reliability, maintainability, commonality, affordability, and supportability of aircraft and flight line equipment. Research is conducted in energy storage and hybrid power system technologies to enable special purpose applications. Electrical power and thermal management technologies enable future military power and thermal needs. Controls and system integration technologies ensure the interoperability of aircraft, power, thermal, engine and other systems and subsystems. This project supports development of electrical power and thermal management components, controls and systems suitable for applications to legacy and future aircraft platforms including strike and mobility concepts. Lightweight power systems suitable for other aerospace applications are also developed. In FY 2026, within Program Element 0602203F/ Aerospace Systems Technologies, all efforts and activities previously reported and funded in this project 623145 Aerospace Power Technology were transferred to Project 622403 Aerospace Power & Flight Control Technology project to enable acceleration of integrated system capabilities and capture realistic representation of work.

This project evaluates fuels for advanced turbine engines, scramjets, detonation, and combined cycle engines. This project also considers fuel related concepts that can increase turbine engine operational reliability, durability, mission flexibility, energy efficiency, and performance while reducing weight, fuel consumption, and cost of ownership. Applications include autonomous collaborative platforms, munitions, and high-speed systems (to include hypersonics). Research areas of emphasis include evaluations of fuel properties and characteristics of traditional, specialty, and alternative fuels developed from unconventional sources.