Air and Missile Defense Advanced Technology

This project matures and demonstrates distributed and collaborative engagement decision making for Multi-Domain Operations. The Augmented Intelligence for Mission Planning and Control effort will develop and mature Artificial Intelligence (AI) Decision Aids enabling operators to continuously manage IAMD component deployments and to select best engagement options in support of Multi-Domain Operations (MDO). This project matures next generation multi-mission radar capabilities through concepts, designs, digital prototypes, and demonstrators that will enable the convergence of both offensive and defensive fires missions by capitalizing on technologies that enable multi-mode sensor architectures to address identified military needs for a common fires radar to reduce cost and logistical burden. Work in this Project complements Program Element (PE) 0602141A (Lethality Technology) / Project CG4 (Advanced Radar Concepts and Technologies) and Project CJ7 (Future Air Defense Missile Enabling Tech; PE 0602148A (Future Vertical Lift Technology) / Project CC3 (FVL Radar Technologies); PE 0601102A (Defense Research Sciences) / Project AA8 (Sensing and Electromagnetics) and PE 0602150A (Air and Missile Defense Technology) / Project DA9 (Radar Survivability through Dis Sensing Tech); and PE 0602275A (Electronic Warfare Applied Research)/ Project A70 (Sensor Electronic Support Tech); and PE 0603275A (Electronic Warfare Advanced Technology) / Project A78 (Sensor Electronic Support Adv Tech) Work is this project is performed by the Aviation & Missile Center (AvMC) and the Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C5ISR) Center.

This program will mature and demonstrate advanced beam control technologies to extend the effective range of a High Energy Laser system. Integrate a large-aperture, off-axis telescope into a government testbed with advanced adaptive optics and tracking. Validate and optimize adaptive optics and laser-quality tracking algorithms to demonstrate increased range capabilities for multi-domain missions, including counter-cruise missile operations. Research in this Project complements other Army Directed Energy efforts conducted under (PE) 0602150A (Air and Missile Defense Technology)/Projects DC1 (Next Generation Directed Energy Concept Development and Analysis) and DE3 (Advanced Beam Control Component Development for Counter-Cruise Missile). The cited work aligns with the Army Modernization Priority of Air and Missile Defense in developing advanced systems to protect against aerial threats. Research is performed by the United States Army Space and Missile Defense Command - Technical Center (USASMDC-TC) in coordination with Program Acquisition Executive (PAE) FIRES.

This project matures and demonstrates optimized high energy laser (HEL) source technologies to enable more affordable laser sources for integration into next-generation HEL weapon systems. The effort aims to reduce system cost, improve thermal management, increase power efficiency, and refine subsystem performance to meet operational requirements and support integration into advanced HEL architectures. Activities may include design optimization, risk reduction, and component-level testing. It complements Army Directed Energy initiatives under PE 0602150A / Project DC1 (Next Generation Directed Energy Concept Development and Analysis) and PE 0603466A / Project CV7 (High Energy Laser Direct Diode Applied Technology). The work aligns with the 2026 National Defense Strategy of Protecting the Homeland borders and skies and the Modernization of Missile Defense both priority lines of effort. The work also aligns with the Army Modernization Priority of Air and Missile Defense in developing advanced systems to protect against aerial threats. Research is performed by the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command - Technical Center (USASMDC-TC) in coordination with Program Acquisition Executive (PAE) FIRES.

This project matures and demonstrates technologies to increase survivability of personnel and critical assets using integrated unconventional countermeasures. These countermeasures include tone down concepts for signature management using novel materials, rapidly deployable, low-cost, multisprectral survivability enhancement technologies as well as intuitive decision support technologies to select and assess non-kinetic protective measures. Work in this Project complements Program Element (PE) 0602150A (Air and Missile Defense Technology) / Project AE2 (Unconventional Countermeasures-Survivability Tech). Work in this Project is conducted by the United States Army Engineer Research and Development Center Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory.

Congressional Interest Item funding provided for Weapons Components Advanced Technology. The cited work is consistent with the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering priority focus areas and the Army modernization strategy.