Printed from https://fiscalreceipts.com/program/0602102F/ — built September 26, 2026. Every figure is citation-backed; see the page online for per-number provenance.
Materials
Budget figures
FY2026 award data is a partial year — USAspending reports awards on a rolling basis, and this corpus runs through 2026-09-04. why partial FY2026 data? →
Budget trajectory
| Fiscal year | Amount |
|---|---|
| FY24 | $274.8M |
| FY25 | $185.3M |
| FY26 | $147.4M |
All series figures: R-1 TOA · PB2026
Decade view
P-1/R-1 workbook TOA basis, shown compact in $B/$M (the workbook records USD thousands); each figure cites its own President's Budget edition
The vertical scale does not start at zero: the baseline sits just below this program’s smallest year, so a low point on this line is not a small amount. Read the shape for direction and the grid below for the figures.
● actuals (line) · ○ enacted · ◇ request — gaps are editions the program is absent from, never interpolated.
| Series | FY15 | FY16 | FY17 | FY18 | FY19 | FY20 | FY21 | FY22 | FY23 | FY24 | FY25 | FY26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Actuals | $114.3M | $132.8M | $158.2M | $143.9M | $172.1M | $212.6M | $228.1M | $214.9M | $266.9M | $274.8M | ||
| Enacted | $133.7M | $126.2M | $124.3M | $181.4M | $215.9M | $237.8M | $221.0M | $275.9M | $142.3M | $185.3M | ||
| Request | $126.2M | $124.3M | $125.4M | $128.9M | $140.8M | $113.5M | $134.8M | $142.3M | $142.3M | $147.4M |
blank = series not published for this year; – = absent from that edition.
Asked vs spent: the PB2024 book requested $142.3M for FY2024; the PB2026 book reported $274.8M as actual total obligation authority — $132.5M above the request. 274.8 − 142.3 = 132.5 USD millions — the compact figures above are rounded for reading.
Program lineage
No predecessor/successor lineage was recorded for this program element — no FY-to-FY transfer into or out of this line was stated in the ingested J-books, and none was inferred from the program structure.
Description
Mission — Materials
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 develops advanced materials, processing, and inspection technologies to reduce life cycle costs and improve performance, sustainability, availability, affordability, supportability, reliability, and survivability of current and future Department of the Air Force systems and operations. The program has three projects that develop: structural, propulsion, and sub-systems materials and processes technologies; electronic, optical, and survivability materials and processes technologies; and sustainment materials, processes technologies, and advanced non-destructive inspection methodologies. Efforts in the program have been coordinated through the Department of Defense Science and Technology Executive Committee process to harmonize efforts and eliminate duplication. 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, 0602020, 0602202F, 0602203F, 0602204F, 0602298F, 0602336F, 0602602F, 0602605F, 0602788F, and 0603680F. In FY 2026, $68.328 million is budgeted in this program for 333 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. This program element may include necessary expenses to support the operation and maintenance of facilities to manage, execute, and deliver science and technology capabilities. This program is in Budget Activity 2, Applied Research because this budget activity includes studies, investigations, and non-system specific technology efforts directed toward general military needs with a view toward developing and evaluating the feasibility and practicality of proposed solutions and determining their parameters.
Mission — Materials for Structures, Propulsion, and Subsystems
This project develops and transitions materials and processing technologies to enhance the affordability, maintainability, and performance of current and future Air Force weapon systems. A key focus is affordable, lightweight materials for aircraft, spacecraft, missiles, and propulsion systems. These materials include metals, polymers, ceramics, metallic and nonmetallic composites, and hybrid materials, designed to improve the structural and performance of existing systems and to address future system needs. Key features of the materials and structures being developed are that they have improved ablation and oxidation resistance, structural integrity, thermal management capabilities, and strength to weight ratios. These attributes enable expanded mission capability for missile and aircraft systems. New processes are developed to provide more affordable solutions while maintaining the performance of fielded and future operational systems. To maintain the performance of fielded systems, the project develops alternative or replacement materials that address obsolescence challenges. The project develops advanced processing methods to enable adaptive manufacturing of aerospace materials.
Mission — Materials for Electronics, Optics, and Survivability
This project develops materials technologies for the Department of the Air Force's Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), situational awareness, and specialty coatings for aerospace platforms and munitions. This includes sensors for microwave, short, mid, and long-wave infrared (SWIR, MWIR, LWIR) detection and countermeasures devices used for targeting, electronic warfare, and active aircraft protection. Electronic and optical materials are being developed to enable surveillance and situational awareness with faster operating speeds, greater tunability, higher power output, improved thermal management (including higher operating temperatures), greater sensitivity, and extended dynamic range. This project develops materials for protection of aircrews, sensors, and aerospace structures from directed energy threats without impairing mission effectiveness. Nanostructured and biological materials are being developed for aerospace structures, munitions, aerospace vehicle subsystems, and personnel.
Mission — Materials Technology for Sustainment
This project develops materials and processing technologies to support operational Department of the Air Force mission areas by providing the ability to inspect the quality of delivered systems, transition more reliable and maintainable materials, establish a capability to detect and characterize performance threatening defects, characterize materials processes and properties necessary for materials transition, and provide quick reaction support and failure analysis to the operational commands and repair centers. Repair techniques and nondestructive inspection/evaluation (NDI/E) methods are developed that are needed for metallic and non-metallic structures, coatings, corrosion control processes, and to support integration of composite structures for aerospace systems. Various NDI/E methods are essential to ensure optimum quality in the design and production of aircraft, propulsion, and missile systems. These NDI/E methods are also essential to monitor and detect the onset of any service-initiated damage and/or deterioration due to aging of operational systems.
Justification
Accomplishments & Planned Programs (11)
Ceramics and Composites
Develop and transition carbon/carbon, carbon/silicon carbide, other ceramics, polymer, polymer and ceramic matrix composites, and hybrid materials technologies for performance and supportability improvement in propulsion systems and high temperature aerospace structures.
Metals
Develop lightweight and high temperature metallics, life prediction technologies, and metals processing technologies for increased affordability, durability, and reliability of Department of the Air Force systems.
Thermal Protection Materials
Develop and evaluate lightweight, active, adaptive, multifunctional, high temperature, and durable material systems for extreme environments and hypersonic applications.
Pervasive and Affordable Metals Technologies
Develop, demonstrate and transition affordable metals invention, processing and prediction technology to enable cost effective future defense capabilities including novel high temperature powder processing materials/structures and additive metals technology concepts to enable future defense capabilities, air vehicle propulsion, and computational prediction models.
Electronic Materials
In FY 2026, this effort was renamed from "Infrared Detector and Electromagnetic Device Materials” to "Electronic Materials” to encompass research outside the infrared spectrum and incorporate more diverse material types. This effort develops and transitions electronic materials and processes for performance, affordability, and operational capability of surveillance, tracking, targeting, and situational awareness systems for the Department of the Air Force.
Materials for Electromagnetic Protection
In FY 2026, this effort was renamed from "Directed Energy Hardened Materials” to "Materials for Electromagnetic Protection” to better reflect the scope of the research. This effort develops and demonstrates technologies to enhance the safety, survivability, and mission effectiveness of personnel, sensors, viewing systems, and related Department of the Air Force assets
Laser Source Materials
Develop materials to enable higher performance high power laser sources (quasi-Continuous Wave to Continuous Wave) with emphasis on laser output in the mid-infrared spectral region (2-5 microns).
Biological Materials
In FY 2026, this effort was renamed from "Nanostructured and Biological Materials" to "Biological Materials" to sharpen the research focus on biomanufacturing and biotechnology. This effort develops enabling and foundational biotechnologies for critical materials, advanced fuels, propellants and energetics, advanced coatings, and resilient basing, for the Department of the Air Force applications.
Material State Awareness
Develop Materials State Awareness technologies to identify and characterize materials and/or damage at all size scales, improving the readiness and availability of fielded structures, propulsion systems, and specialty materials, and enabling accelerated qualification of advanced materials for Department of the Air Force systems.
Materials/Processes for Affordable Survivability
In FY 2026, this effort was renamed from "Production and Repair Technologies" to "Materials/Processes for Affordable Survivability" to more accurately capture its emphasis on durable and survivable materials. This effort develops and matures emerging capabilities, information, and materials/processes to deliver cost-effective technologies to enhance mission capability, ensure material integrity and mission readiness throughout the life cycle of advanced aircraft and weapons systems for the Department of the Air Force.
Failure Analysis and Mishap Prevention Technologies
In FY 2026, this effort was renamed from "Failure Analysis Technologies" to "Failure Analysis and Mishap Prevention Technologies" to encompass both preemptive mishap prevention and post-failure analysis of materials, components, and systems. This effort rapidly generates and deploys solutions for critical material and process challenges impacting weapon systems across their life cycle — from research and development through acquisition and operations. This accelerated approach focuses on delivering timely knowledge and technical insights to prevent operational mishaps and ensure weapon system effectiveness.
Budget line items(workbook-cited)
P-1/R-1 workbook Total Obligation Authority basis (USD thousands) · PB2026.
Exhibit R-1
| Account | Org | Type | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Air Force | F | FY24 Actuals | $274.8M |
| Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Air Force | F | FY25 Enacted | $185.3M |
| Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Air Force | F | FY25 Total | $185.3M |
| Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Air Force | F | FY26 Disc. Request | $147.4M |
| Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Air Force | F | FY26 Total | $147.4M |
Budget Details(R-2/P-40 facts)
J-book detail basis (R-2/P-40, USD millions) · PB2026 — a different accounting basis from the P-1/R-1 workbook TOA above; where the two disagree, the reconciliation strip under Budget figures shows both.
Wider than this screen — swipe the table sideways for the remaining fiscal-year columns.
| Project | All Prior Years | FY24 Actuals | FY25 Total | FY26 Base | FY26 Request |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program Element | $0 | $274.8M | $185.3M | $147.4M | $147.4M |
| 624347: Materials for Structures, Propulsion, and Subsystems | $0 | $130.1M | $84.8M | $59.7M | $59.7M |
| 624348: Materials for Electronics, Optics, and Survivability | $0 | $92.7M | $52.6M | $41.4M | $41.4M |
| 624349: Materials Technology for Sustainment | $0 | $51.9M | $48.0M | $46.3M | $46.3M |
Follow the dollar
No follow-the-dollar view — this program's awards haven't been crosswalked at high confidence (flows cover 312 of 1,938 programs). why coverage is partial? →
Awards
No awards are linked to this program element at high or medium confidence — the budget→award crosswalk only asserts links it can defend, and this line has none yet.
Lobbying mentions
No Senate LDA lobbying filing in the tracked data mentions this program element by code or alias.
Oversight
Department-level designation (not specific to this program)
GAO lists 5 high-risk areas for DOD as a whole. That designation covers the department, not Materials. No program-specific GAO finding for this line is in the ingested data. See the DOD oversight record.
Program dossier
No research dossier for this program — dossiers cover 50 of 1,938 programs, the largest fully J-book-detailed lines by FY2026 requested dollars. why no dossier here? →
Primary sources
Open any budget figure for its exact receipt. Verified line items lead with the highlighted government PDF; original spreadsheets download with their budget edition and exhibit in the filename.
Budget totals · TOA sources
FY2026 Department of Defense Budget: RDT&E Programs (R-1) · comptroller.war.gov
Exhibit R-1 · J505
Complete workbook · unchanged saved copy. Saves as PB2026_DoD_R-1_Research-Development-Test-Evaluation.xlsx.
FY2017 Department of Defense Budget: RDT&E Programs (R-1) · comptroller.war.gov
Exhibit R-1 · J455
Complete workbook · unchanged saved copy. Saves as PB2017_DoD_R-1_Research-Development-Test-Evaluation.xlsx.
FY2018 Department of Defense Budget: RDT&E Programs (R-1) · comptroller.war.gov
Exhibit R-1 · J488
Complete workbook · unchanged saved copy. Saves as PB2018_DoD_R-1_Research-Development-Test-Evaluation.xlsx.
FY2019 Department of Defense Budget: RDT&E Programs (R-1) · comptroller.war.gov
Exhibit R-1 · J505
Complete workbook · unchanged saved copy. Saves as PB2019_DoD_R-1_Research-Development-Test-Evaluation.xlsx.
FY2020 Department of Defense Budget: RDT&E Programs (R-1) · comptroller.war.gov
Exhibit R-1 · J514
Complete workbook · unchanged saved copy. Saves as PB2020_DoD_R-1_Research-Development-Test-Evaluation.xlsx.
FY2021 Department of Defense Budget: RDT&E Programs (R-1) · comptroller.war.gov
Exhibit R-1 · J528
Complete workbook · unchanged saved copy. Saves as PB2021_DoD_R-1_Research-Development-Test-Evaluation.xlsx.
FY2022 Department of Defense Budget: RDT&E Programs (R-1) · comptroller.war.gov
Exhibit R-1 · J495
Complete workbook · unchanged saved copy. Saves as PB2022_DoD_R-1_Research-Development-Test-Evaluation.xlsx.
FY2023 Department of Defense Budget: RDT&E Programs (R-1) · comptroller.war.gov
Exhibit R-1 · J487
Complete workbook · unchanged saved copy. Saves as PB2023_DoD_R-1_Research-Development-Test-Evaluation.xlsx.
FY2024 Department of Defense Budget: RDT&E Programs (R-1) · comptroller.war.gov
Exhibit R-1 · J479
Complete workbook · unchanged saved copy. Saves as PB2024_DoD_R-1_Research-Development-Test-Evaluation.xlsx.
FY2025 Department of Defense Budget: RDT&E Programs (R-1) · comptroller.war.gov
Exhibit R-1 · J487
Complete workbook · unchanged saved copy. Saves as PB2025_DoD_R-1_Research-Development-Test-Evaluation.xlsx.
Detailed budget justification
The related TOA spreadsheets above use a different accounting basis from R-2/P-40 detail. Their amounts are not assumed to match these detailed sources.
FY2026 Air Force Research and Development Test and Evaluation, Vol. I · www.saffm.hq.af.mil
PDF page 113