Manufacturing Technologies
This program executes technical efforts to develop and maintain an affordable and reliable industrial base and manufacturing capability responsive to Department of the Air Force warfighter needs. The program develops and improves manufacturing technologies and processes to reduce transition risk, enable cost reduction, improve component and system quality, increase readiness and affordable mission availability, enhance industrial capability, and promote transformation through the industrial base. Value stream modifications and manufacturing throughput improvements are implemented to shorten weapon system cycle times during design, development, production, and sustainment. Cost savings are realized through early engagement with stakeholders to promote producible designs, ensuring the industrial base will be ready to manufacture at the needed quantities. Manufacturing technologies objectives are conducted through industrial partnerships that enable targeted investment of manufacturing technologies and reduce risk in the industrial supply chain for existing weapon system upgrades and new warfighter systems. This program is accomplished by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). AFRL is focused on high-impact, multi-domain science & technology (S&T) solutions that drive innovation now while laying the groundwork for the Air and Space Force to win the future fight. AFRL effectively synchronizes the Department of the Air Force (DAF) S&T enterprise and workforce to align towards the most consequential DAF priorities and accelerate the delivery of game-changing S&T. Funds in this PE may be used to investigate specified technology advancements in air, space, and/or cyber domains. This program includes funding for the requisite DAF Science & Engineering (S&E) and mission enabling civilian workforce with the necessary technical competencies to develop, manage, and deliver science & technology capabilities. The use of program funds in this program element is in conjunction with the civilian pay expenses budgeted in the following program elements: 1206601SF, 1206616SF, 0601102F, 0602020F, 0602102F, 0602202F, 0602203F, 0602204F, 0602298F, 0602336F, 0602602F, 0602605F, and 0602788F. In FY 2027, $8.114 million is budgeted in this program for 41 direct Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) civilians.
- Complete the advancement of high demand specialized manufacturing technologies including additive manufacturing, robotics and automation to develop cost effective conventional production, overhaul, and specialty material repair technologies to enable affordable sustainment of legacy aircraft systems. - Continue the development of…
Read the FY2027 plan →- Continue to enable advanced manufacturing processes, techniques, and equipment availability through automation, robotics, mixed reality and digital transformations for reducing materiel weapons acquisition, maintenance and repair costs. - Continue the development and demonstration of digital engineering concepts into manufacturing…
Read the FY2027 plan →- Continue the development of high demand manufacturing technologies including low cost for attritable systems, thermal protection materials for high temperature applications, and other manufacturing technologies geared toward realizing the future force through autonomous collaborative platforms, low-cost munitions, hypersonic weapons…
Read the FY2027 plan →- Commence the development of domestic sources of advanced batteries including higher energy and power densities, and resilience to extreme environments. Activities include: -- Development of secondary batteries capable of high discharge rates (greater than 10 C-rate), high-energy density (over 350 watt hours per kilogram), and extreme…
Read the FY2027 plan →