Defense Lab R&D Projects

Implementation of 10 U.S.C. Section 4123 (amendment to 10 U.S.C. Section 2363), also known as the Department of War (DoW) Funding Laboratory Enhancements Across Four Categories (FLEX-4) authority, to fund: 1) innovative basic and applied research conducted at the defense laboratory and supports military missions; 2) development programs supporting the transition of technologies developed by the defense laboratory into operational use; 3) workforce development activities improving the capacity of the defense laboratory to recruit and retain personnel with necessary scientific and engineering expertise that support military missions; and 4) the repair or minor military construction of the laboratory infrastructure and equipment. The United States Space Force (USSF) is dependent on technological advances in response to emerging threats and to maintain a competitive advantage. The USSF has a comprehensive and deliberative planning process to identify and fund research that is expected to have the greatest benefit to the USSF and the warfighter. This program is executed 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. 10 U.S.C. Section 4123 provides the Commander of the AFRL, in consultation with the DAF Science and Technology Executive, a degree of flexibility to rapidly exploit scientific breakthroughs or respond to emerging threats, to include developing a skilled workforce and necessary infrastructure. This flexibility increases the rate of innovation and accelerates the development and fielding of needed military capabilities to address current and future problems. DAF internally realigns 10 U.S.C. Section 4123 funds to this USSF program element in the year of execution after receipt of the appropriation. This allows increased transparency to Congress on 10 U.S.C. Section 4123 funding and additional execution flexibility for 10 U.S.C. Section 4123 activities to cross all technology areas. This is a parallel effort to United States Air Force (USAF) PE 0602212F.