Armament Subsystems
Future Advanced Weapon Analysis & Programs (FAWAP) enables Air Force enterprise weapons capability planning through the generation and execution of new and emerging requirements and trade space analysis. This encompasses studies of emerging weapons system gaps and the operational analysis of technology insertion for legacy and future systems. The outcomes of these studies drive responsive design and development engineering to support the determination, exploration, and execution of feasible solutions through advanced technology prototype development and rapid fielding. Efforts under this program element explore: new and future concept developments and analyses in response to stakeholder engagements; technology transitions and common enterprise needs; air-to-ground, ground-to-launch, and air-to-air fieldable demonstrations and solutions; and the delivery of quick-reaction materiel solutions. The overall objective is to identify methods to improve weapon system performance, develop potential future designs, mitigate evolving threats, pursue low-cost/affordable weapons solutions, and reduce life cycle costs. These projects will also develop and expand Modeling, Simulation and Analysis (MS&A) and experimental platforms for weapon qualification activities; improve safety; identify technology gaps; and ensure viability and durability of future weapons programs. Projects in this program element implement the Digital Acquisition tenets of Open, Agile, and Digital in support of all Air Force weapons by conducting high fidelity MS&A to support the development, testing, and evaluation of future concept and legacy weapons. Projects under this program element utilize design, development, test, integration, and implementation of appropriate modular open systems approaches, related components, and efforts, including, but not limited to, logical and physical interfaces defined in Weapon Open System Architecture (WOSA). This approach allows modular and severable subsystems, to include those that are software-defined, at the appropriate level to be incrementally added, removed, or replaced throughout the life cycle. The FY2026 spend plan amount for Research, Development, Test & Evaluation, Air Force, includes $52,398 thousand of discretionary and $80,000 thousand of mandatory (reconciliation) for a total of $132,398 thousand.
Continue Software Defined Radio NSA Certification Efforts and radio development, Common Flight Safety System development and environmental testing. Continue Long Range Kill Chain Modeling, Simulation, and Analysis tool development. Continue prototyping and demonstrations of adaptable affordable mass weapon systems, subsystems, and…
Read the FY2027 plan →FY2027 planned work Expand on foundational M&S program development and operational analysis tactics, techniques and procedures. Synchronize research efforts with developmental weapon programs and portfolio capability gap road maps. Broaden analysis iterations for additional defense planning scenarios and catalogue resulting study data. Bolster organic M&S capability and stakeholder endorsement for development of leadership's decision supporting data.
FY2026 to FY2027 change Decrease from FY2026 to FY2027 due to reduced efforts in Continuous Munitions Analysis (CMA) and SFences Digital Software.
FY2026 plans — current year Conducted multiple analytical assessments in accordance with the Defense Planning Scenario with key stakeholders. Assessed Analysis of Alternatives results to prototype weapon system and subsystem concepts. Analyzed feasibility of attributes and technologies for incorporation into requisite phases of the acquisition life cycle in concert with key stakeholders. Transitioned armament concepts with effects to program offices, war games and flag exercises. Established new M&S capabilities to expand modeling to predict and better validate products.
FY2027 planned work Progress advanced development of CMA and WCGA processes. Perform analysis for directorate wide portfolio and evaluate future concepts and their relationship to capability gaps. Provide lethality assessments for CMA to enhance weapon performance analysis. Review and update M&S techniques and capabilities. Provide M&S approach to augment and automate development and visualizations of road maps. Work includes physics, engineering, engagement/mission level MS&A and efforts to characterize complex systems.
FY2026 to FY2027 change Decrease from FY2026 to FY2027 due to reduced efforts in Modeling Development, Modeling Software License Renewals, and Digital Software.
FY2026 plans — current year Progressed with the Continuous Munitions Analysis (CMA) and Weapons Capability Gap Analysis (WGCA) processes. Continued to conduct lethality analysis to support the development, testing, and evaluation of legacy and future weapon concepts. Work included physics, engineering, engagement/mission level MS&A and efforts to characterize complex systems amd provide independent analysis in multiple mission areas. Established new M&S capabilities.
FY2027 planned work No FY2027 funding
FY2026 plans — current year No FY2026 funding