Technology Exploration
The Nuclear Delivery Systems (NDS) Technology Exploration program establishes the foundational computational tools necessary to conduct nuclear forensics, perform strategic surveillance, and predict future nuclear re-entry system environmental requirements, effects, and responses. Program activities aid investigations and analyses of 1) enhanced terminal performance options; 2) national strategic and nuclear deterrence operations; 3) potential clandestine nuclear activity; and 4) multi-physics algorithms to improve accuracy in simulating previously untested environmental effects and responses in support of nuclear re-entry systems efforts under PE 0603273F, Science and Technology (S&T) for Nuclear Re-entry Systems. This program provides applied S&T to augment nuclear deterrence operations by reestablishing specialized expertise and technologies necessary to address, and respond to, current and emerging multi-peer-contested nuclear environments. This program is accomplished by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). AFRL is focused on high-impact, multi-domain S&T solutions that drive innovation now while laying the groundwork for the Air and Space Forces to win the future fight. The AFRL effectively synchronizes the Department of the Air Force (DAF) S&T enterprise and workforce to align with the most consequential DAF priorities and accelerate the delivery of game-changing S&T. This program further supports the requisite DAF science and engineering (S&E) and mission enabling civilian workforce with the necessary technical competencies to develop, manage, and deliver S&T capabilities. The use of program funds in this PE is in conjunction with the civilian pay expenses budgeted for in the following PEs: 1206616SF, 1206601SF, 0601102F, 0602020F, 0602102F, 0602202F, 0602203F, 0602204F, 0602298F, 0602602F, 0602605F, 0602788F, and 0603680F. In FY 2027, $1.648 million is budgeted in this program for 8 direct Full-Time Equivalent civilians. AFRL references statutory language under 10 USC 4091 ("Authorities for certain positions at S&T reinvention laboratories”) to manage the workforce strength, structure, positions, and compensation.
FY2027 planned work Nuclear Explosion Monitoring: - Continue utilizing novel computational models and statistical methods to improve uncertainty quantification to better discern and estimate energetic activities and events. - Continue developing machine learning algorithms for seismic signal and array processing to enhance near real-time events detection and discrimination tools. - Continue developing machine learning for distributed acoustic sensing for noise reduction, detection, data compression, and source characterization to enhance seismic monitoring, including applications to non-seismic signals. - Continue developing novel methods for faster, more accurate automated processing of non-seismic data to…
FY2026 to FY2027 change This effort increases by $0.083 million from FY 2026 to FY 2027. This funding, in addition to funds re-allocated from Re-entry Aerothermal Science (RAS) activities, will support the expansion of monitoring capabilities for the detection and tracking of multi-domain moving target indicators.
FY2026 plans — current year Nuclear Explosion Monitoring: - Continue utilizing novel computational models and statistical methods to improve uncertainty quantification to better discern and estimate energetic activities and events. - Continue developing machine learning algorithms for seismic signal and array processing to enhance near real-time event detection and discrimination tools. - Continue developing machine learning for distributed acoustic sensing for noise reduction, detection, data compression, and source characterization to enhance seismic monitoring, including applications to non-seismic signals. - Continue developing novel methods for faster, more accurate automated processing of non-seismic data to…
- Continue developing foundational nuclear re-entry system Modeling & Simulation (M&S) tools that support advanced Aeroshell efforts within PE 0603273F, S&T for Nuclear Re-entry Systems. - Continue aerothermal model validation and improvements to include the development of integrated, comprehensive physics-based modeling suites to…
Read the FY2027 plan →