Defense Research Sciences

Mission — Physics and Electronics source

Basic research in the Physics and Electronics Project seeks to enable revolutionary advances and expand the fundamental knowledge supporting technologies critical to the future of the Department of the Air Force. Research prioritizes high-risk, high-reward, game-changing scientific breakthroughs essential for future leaps in warfighter system performance, functionality, reliability, and survivability while simultaneously reducing component and system power, size, mass, and life cycle costs. Major areas being investigated in this project are complex electronics and fundamental quantum processes; plasma physics and high energy density non-equilibrium processes; and lasers and optics, electromagnetics, communication, and signal processing. While the following specific efforts are the focus of the project, there is interest in exploring novel ideas that may bridge these major efforts as well as those in the other projects within this program.

Mission — Defense Research Sciences source

Defense Research Sciences consists of basic research activities in academia and industry along with research performed in the Department of the Air Force, including the Air Force Research Laboratory, Air Force Institute of Technology, and the United States Air Force Academy. This program supports basic broad-based scientific and engineering research in areas critical to Department of the Air Force weapon, sensor, and support systems. All research areas are subject to long-range planning and technical review by both Department of the Air Force and tri-Service scientific planning groups. Efforts in this program have been coordinated through the Department of Defense Science and Technology Executive Committee process to harmonize efforts and eliminate duplication. The Air Force Research Laboratory (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. 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, 0602020F, 0602102F, 0602202F, 0602203F, 0602204F, 0602298F, 0602336F, 0602602F, 0602605F, 0602788F, and 0603680F. In FY 2026, $33.376 million is budgeted in this program for 145 direct Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) civilians. The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) utilizes 10 USC 4091, "Authorities for certain positions at science and technology reinvention laboratories” to manage the workforce strength, structure, positions, and compensation without regard to any limitation on appointments, positions, or funding in a manner consistent with the budget. This program element may include necessary expenses to support the operation and maintenance of facilities to manage, execute, and deliver science and technology capabilities. Funds in this program element may be used to investigate specified science advancements in air, space and/or cyber domains. This program is in Budget Activity 1, Basic Research because this budget activity includes scientific study and experimentation directed toward increasing fundamental knowledge and understanding in those fields of the physical, engineering, environmental, and life sciences related to long-term national security needs.

Mission — Mathematics, Information and Life Sciences source

Basic research in the Mathematics, Information Sciences, and Life Sciences Project seeks to expand fundamental knowledge and enable revolutionary advances and supporting technologies critical to the future of the Department of the Air Force. Major areas being investigated in this project are data fusion, machine learning and artificial intelligence, information and complex networks, cyber-security, autonomous decision making, dynamical systems, optimization and control, and natural materials and systems. While the following are specific sub-areas within this project, there is a continuing interest to explore novel ideas to bridge disciplines within this program.

Mission — Aerospace, Chemical and Material Sciences source

Basic research in the Aerospace, Chemical, and Materials Sciences Project seeks to enable revolutionary advances and expand the fundamental knowledge supporting technologies critical to the future of the Department of the Air Force. Research stresses high-risk, high-reward, game-changing scientific breakthroughs essential for future leaps in warfighter system performance, functionality, reliability, and survivability while simultaneously reducing component and system power, size, mass, and life cycle costs. Research topics include: aero-structure interactions and control; energy, power, and propulsion; complex materials and structures; and cross-disciplinary research reflecting the highly integrated nature of future weapon systems. While the following specific efforts are the focus of the project there is interest in exploring novel ideas that may bridge these major efforts as well as those in other projects within this program.

Mission — Education and Outreach source

The major efforts in the Science and Technology (S&T) Education and Outreach Project are to facilitate interactions between the international and domestic research communities and Department of the Air Force researchers, and to develop scientists and engineers with an awareness of Department of the Air Force basic research priorities. These professional interactions and collaborations benefit the Department of the Air Force by increasing awareness of basic research priorities in the research community as a whole and attracting talented scientists and engineers to address Department of the Air Force needs. International interactions foster relationships with scientific partners and leverage international expertise in nascent scientific developments. This project also seeks to enhance interactions with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), Hispanic-Serving Institutions, and other institutions, in accordance with 10 U.S.C. 4144, Research and Educational Programs and Activities: Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority-serving Institutions of Higher Education.

Mission — STEM Pipeline Development source

The major efforts in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Pipeline Development Project are initiatives to support STEM education and outreach activities for kindergarten through 12th grade (K-12) students, and to support activities that encourage elementary, middle, and high-school youth to develop an interest in, and pursue, higher education and employment in the science, mathematics, and engineering career fields. These initiatives benefit the Department of the Air Force by cultivating a progressive pipeline of highly-trained and knowledgeable STEM professionals aimed at filling Department of the Air Force STEM workforce needs. This project seeks to cultivate STEM opportunities across the Department of the Air Force by supporting education and outreach activities that promote foundational knowledge building and experiential learning to inspire young students to pursue STEM-related career fields of critical importance to the Department of the Air Force.

Accomplishments & Planned Programs (14)