# Project 534 — Lincoln Laboratory

**Program element:** 0602234D8Z — Lincoln Laboratory Research Program  
**Project:** 534  
**Component:** Defense-Wide  
**Appropriation:** 0400 — RDT&E, Defense-Wide  
**Budget Activity:** 2 — Applied Research  
**Vintage:** President's Budget PB2027  
**Canonical URL:** https://hitchintel.com/programs/0602234D8Z/534  
**Parent:** https://hitchintel.com/programs/0602234D8Z

## Summary

Project 534 — Lincoln Laboratory requests $10.0M in FY2027, 100% of the $10.0M requested for program element 0602234D8Z, down 78% on FY2026. 8 R-2A activities decompose the request.

**Markets:** Defense Systems R&D, FFRDC & National Lab Operations — matched on the project title only, and no market size is quoted.

## Funding profile

| Fiscal Year | Estimate Type | Amount ($M) |
|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | Actual | 42.2 |
| FY2026 | Enacted | 45.4 |
| FY2027 | Request | 10.0 |
| FY2028 | Outyear | 10.5 |
| FY2029 | Outyear | 10.6 |
| FY2030 | Outyear | 10.3 |
| FY2031 | Outyear | 10.1 |

> Estimate types are not summed. This project is one leaf of PE 0602234D8Z; the PE total is the sum of its projects, never added to them.

## What project 534 buys

This project supports and focuses on high risk, high-payoff research that addresses critical national security problems, leading to innovative new system concepts, technologies, components and materials in support of current and emerging Department of War (DoW) missions. Each year, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Lincoln Lab (MIT LL) in coordination with the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering (OUSW(R&E)) reviews and selects projects focusing on addressing technology gaps in critical problems facing national security, oriented not toward incremental improvements in current technology but transformative capabilities to provide asymmetric advantage. Factors considered in the selection include mission impact, capability and development acceleration, and ability to provide innovation in the DoW critical technology areas. Selection of projects derives from an annual, highly competitive proposal process in which demand for funding exceeds supply by nearly a factor of three. Successful projects often result in advanced capabilities that lead to further sponsored-program development, operational prototypes, technology insertion into existing programs and/or technology licensing to commercial companies. As of FY 2026 the program element has been adjusted to focus on consolidated, core technologies in Microelectronics; Sensing and Communication; Intelligent Systems; and Quantum Computing and Interconnects. The program element continues to include a system level technology area of Integrated Systems aimed at mission-oriented advanced prototype development. The Lincoln Laboratory (LL) research areas that comprise this overall research and development portfolio are described below. Core-technology areas: • The Microelectronics Line focuses on turning bold, early-stage concepts in materials and processes into component prototypes to enable new system-level solutions to national security problems. Leveraging a wide range of fabrication capabilities, the portfolio aims to create foundational mission-focused technologies spanning applications in imaging; analog, mixed-signal, and digital electronics; and photonics, opto-electronics, and laser technologies. It also seeks to take advantage of unexpected and unusual properties of materials engineered at scales from nanometers to millimeters.

## Activities (R-2A) — 8

| Activity | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 | Move | Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intelligent Systems | 7.0 | 1.8 | 4.0 | +125% | — |
| Microelectronics | 5.7 | 2.8 | 3.7 | +32% | — |
| Quantum Computing & Interconnects | 5.6 | 1.8 | 1.5 | −16% | — |
| Integrated Systems | 4.6 | 1.8 | 0.7 | −63% | — |
| Sensing and Communications | 5.2 | 1.8 | 0.2 | −91% | — |
| Radio Frequency (RF) Systems and Technologies | 5.2 | — | — | — | — |
| Autonomous Systems | 4.5 | — | — | — | — |
| Advanced Materials and Processes | 4.4 | — | — | — | — |

> 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.

### Intelligent Systems

**FY2027 planned work.** Mature and demonstrate capability in: - Tactical Edge AI enabled by novel algorithms for complex DoW environments - Expanded Autonomy solutions for resiliency in electronic warfare applications - Multimodal foundation models to enhance sensing capabilities in radar, sonar and ISR modalities - Extreme scale collaborative, intelligent Counter-UAS swarms

**FY2026 to FY2027 change.** The $2.219 million increase between FY 2026 and FY 2027 is strategically allocated to both improve program efficiencies and support a meaningful, albeit modest, expansion of program activities while advancing the policies of the administration.

**FY2026 plans — current year.** Information, Computation and Exploitation Sciences will be changed to Intelligent Systems in FY 2026. Invest efforts in the following technical areas - Distributed Tactical Edge AI to build novel hardware and algorithms enabling tactical advantage in deploying AI at the edge - Human-Machine Teaming to create hybrid cognitive architectures to enable effective and rapidly adaptable team and evaluation of team effectiveness in mission scenarios - Autonomy Applications to extend autonomy solutions into space-based proximity operations and electronic warfare sensing applications - Interceptors to bridge the gap between interceptor planning and execution by solving a faster control loop

**FY2025 accomplishments.** The Information, Computation, and Exploitation Sciences program will continue applied research and development along several key technical thrusts, including predictive and prescriptive analytics, automated Processing, Exploitation and Dissemination (PED), advanced computing technologies, and human-machine teaming, all within the context of the AI oriented decision support architecture. Continue progress in AI and exploitation algorithms for DoD missions. Continue to develop computational architectures for AI and big data applications. Apply advanced AI algorithms within select mission applications areas (material discovery, cyber, etc.).

### Microelectronics

**FY2027 planned work.** - Demonstrate and benchmark performance for superconducting electronics-based compute and memories technologies - Extend AI-enabled materials development and experimentation to hypersonics and critical materials - Advance large-format quantum-noise limited LWIR detectors for next generation space surveillance and low-light applications - Advance optical-fiber growth and laser technology for high-peak-power pulse and broadband supercontinuum light generation

**FY2026 to FY2027 change.** The $0.899 increase between FY 2026 and FY 2027 is strategically allocated to both improve program efficiencies and support a meaningful, albeit modest, expansion of program activities while advancing the policies of the administration.

**FY2026 plans — current year.** Advanced Devices will change to Microelectronics and invest efforts in: - High Temperature Electronics for Hypersonics - Ultra-Low Power Electronics for AI Edge Computing with superconducting memory - Physics-informed AI for Material Engineering to accelerate materials design, and develop novel materials that enable advanced structures

**FY2025 accomplishments.** The Advanced Devices program will continue ongoing efforts in Multi-GHz Lasers for Quantum Networks, Midwave Infrared Integrated Photonics, and Enabling Technologies for Free-Space Optical Communications with the goal of advancing this applied research to a stage where it can be transitioned to other programs.

### Quantum Computing & Interconnects

**FY2027 planned work.** -Demonstrate quantum interconnect technologies for distributed quantum sensing and computing applications -Investigate better predictive and forecasting tools for utility-scale quantum compute -Develop algorithms for efficient and convergent quantum computing operations

**FY2026 to FY2027 change.** The decrease of $0.281 between FY 2026 and FY 2027 is due to minor budget fluctuation.

**FY2026 plans — current year.** In FY 2026 Quantum Systems will be changed to Quantum Computing and Interconnects Invest efforts in: - Quantum Error Correction to increase operational utility and permit interoperability across multiple commercial quantum hardware. - Quantum Interconnects to enable scaling quantum systems to larger qubits and processor sizes. In parallel, analyze computing architectures for different quantum processing modalities (e.g. superconducting qubits, photonic qubits, trapped ions) to identify regimes where interconnected approaches offer performance and implementation advantages. - Quantum Clocks for Next-Generation PNT to leverage quantum computing platforms for developing fieldable, liter-scale optical clock for month-long GPS-denied operations.

**FY2025 accomplishments.** Future work in the program will focus on the underlying scientific and engineering issues of quantum system science. Continue development of trapped-ion and superconducting computing, quantum sensing technologies, and quantum networks.

### Integrated Systems

**FY2027 planned work.** - Demonstrate blue laser remote temperature sensing in airborne experiments with autonomous undersea and surface sensors to further mission moonshot in transparent oceans for INDOPACOM - Advance multi-function directed energy systems for Counter-UAS and Golden Dome applications - Develop and demonstrate novel sensing technologies and techniques to enable low-cost seekers and fire control in support of Golden Dome - Initiate technology transfer of novel compact imaging chip to enable low-cost global electro-optic persistent surveillance with proliferated LEO satellite constellation

**FY2026 to FY2027 change.** The decrease of $1.121 million between FY 2026 and FY 2027 reflects the prioritization of other DoW activities.

**FY2026 plans — current year.** Invest in the following areas: - Technology for Golden Dome that demonstrates novel technologies and systems in support of the Golden Dome missile defense initiative. - Technology for Global Electro-Optic Persistent ISR that demonstrates real-time end-to-end wide-area ISR scanning with camera prototype and advanced algorithms in laboratory and outdoors; optimize camera design for increased performance and yield to enable technology transition. - Technology for Undersea Surveillance that ensures command of the sea by changing the paradigm from point sensing of the ocean to low-cost autonomous volume sensing through use of space-based multispectral imaging, an airborne or spaceborne LiDAR system, and distributed vehicles/sensors for undersea environment profiling and communications.

**FY2025 accomplishments.** The Integrated Systems program will continue to support projects that will be those of strategic interest to the DoD and aligned with Lincoln Laboratory mission areas.

### Sensing and Communications

**FY2027 planned work.** - Demonstrate integrated photonic systems for low-SWaP adaptive optics and advanced RF receiver applications - Build and demonstrate free-form optical systems for wide-area surveillance applications and initiate technology transfer - Demonstrate compact high peak-power superconducting electromagnetic pulse (EMP) generation - Advance compact quantum sensing technologies for GPS-Denied navigation, advanced timing and covert applications - Further mature fieldable, liter-scale clock technologies for GPS-Denied mission applications

**FY2026 to FY2027 change.** The decrease of $1.616 million between FY 2026 and FY 2027 reflects re-baselining of DoW funding priorities.

**FY2026 plans — current year.** Optical Systems and Technologies will be changed to Sensing and Communications Invest efforts in: - Directed-energy technology including beam-directors, high-power, low-cost light sources and atmospheric compensation - Quantum sensors for navigation and electromagnetic field sensing - Novel optical systems for mass and volume constrained platforms - RF and optical sensor concepts for detecting difficult targets in congested environments - Phenomenology measurements in supported of new sensing concepts

**FY2025 accomplishments.** The Optical Systems Technology program will continue progress in next generation passive imaging components, new laser technology, and advanced optical communications. Continue proof of concept testing for long range X ray sensing concept.

### Radio Frequency (RF) Systems and Technologies

**FY2025 accomplishments.** The RF Systems program will continue progress in advanced RF signal processing, indoor RF networking, and novel front end component technologies.

### Autonomous Systems

**FY2025 accomplishments.** Continue progress in artificial intelligence (AI) for robotics, platform technology, multi agent systems, and trusted and resilient autonomy. Continue to develop multi agent autonomous space technology for mission planning and satellite coordination.

### Advanced Materials and Processes

**FY2025 accomplishments.** The Advanced Materials and Process program will continue to conduct research on all forms of data-enhanced, computationally accelerated materials development, alongside a focus on advanced materials technologies that underpin small platforms. Continue focus on the following areas: beyond complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) electronics, materials for advanced sensors, integrated microstructures, and other advanced structures.

## 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/0602234D8Z.

## Source & machine access

- **Source:** FY2027 Office of the Secretary of Defense RDT&E Budget Justification, Exhibits R-2/R-2A/R-3, PE 0602234D8Z project 534 (PB PB2027).
- **MCP:** `mcp.hitchintel.com` — `budget_get_program_element(pe="0602234D8Z")`.

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