Air and Missile Defense Technology

Mission — Air and Missile Defense Technology source

This Program Element (PE) line is directly aligned with the Air & Missile Defense (AMD) Army Modernization Priority. Work in this PE investigates and develops AMD technologies to enable defense of ground forces and selected geopolitical assets from aerial attack, missile attack, and surveillance. Major focus areas for AMD Science and Technology include: Missiles, Directed Energy, Gun-Based Air Defense Technologies, and Battlefield Sensors and Supporting AMD Technologies. Missiles Applied Research investigates and develops a broad range of Missile technologies to enhance Army integrated AMD capabilities at extended range. Directed Energy Applied Research investigates and develops critical High Energy Laser (HEL) technologies to explore performance against Air Defense threats and for other Directed Energy applications across Army Modernization Priorities. Gun-Based Air Defense Technologies Applied Research investigates and develops Combined Arms for Air Defense (CAFAD) technologies and components in a laboratory environment. Sensors and Supporting AMD Technologies Applied Research investigates and develops Battlefield Sensor and radar technologies required for detection, acquisition and tracking of air defense targets as well as supporting technologies that enhance AMD. Work in this PE complements PE 0603466A (Air and Missile Defense Advanced Technology). The cited research is consistent with the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering priority focus areas and the Army Modernization Strategy. Research is performed by U.S. Army Aviation and Missiles Center (AvMC). The FY 2026 request was reduced by $1.463 million for Advisory and Assistance Services to promote efficiencies and advance the policies of the Administration in alignment with Executive Order 14222, "Implementing the President's Department of Government Efficiency Cost Efficiency Initiative." The FY 2026 request was reduced by $0.078 million for civilian personnel to optimize the workforce in compliance with Executive Order 14210, "Implementing the President's Department of Government Efficiency Workforce Optimization Initiative."

Mission — Unconventional Countermeasures-Survivability Tech source

This Project designs and develops technologies to deter tactical surveillance and targeting by adversarial area denial systems and munitions. The Project investigates methods to increase survivability of critical assets against precision-guided near-peer advanced weapons threats, investigates and develops tonedown methods for signature management, and computationally develops novel countermeasures. This Project also develops a suite of high-fidelity, physics-based modeling and simulation tools for the design and development of unconventional countermeasures and survivability enhancers applicable to a wide range of operating environments. Work in this Project complements Program Element (PE) 0603466A (Air and Missile Defense Advanced Technology) / Project AE3 (Unconventional Countermeasures-Survivability ATech). The work cited is consistent with the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering priority focus areas and the Army Modernization Strategy. Work in this Project is performed by the United States Army Engineer Research and Development Center Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory.

Mission — Counter Small Unmanned Aircraft Sys (C-sUAS) Tech source

This Project investigates, designs and develops novel Counter-small Unmanned Aircraft System (C-sUAS) kinetic missile interceptor capabilities. Project will transition technologies for increased range, reduce reaction time, increase lethality, improve reliability, reduce reload time for fixed site and mobile C-sUAS configurations. Provides maneuver forces a quick-response, high speed, long-range kinetic interceptor capabilities against Group 3 small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) that operate at higher altitudes with greater standoff ranges for Multi-Domain Operations (MDO). Designs and develops small, lightweight, and low-cost missile interceptor technologies for increased magazine depth (stowed kills) to enable brigade/maneuver force kinetic defeat of numerous sUAS at short range. Provides deeper magazine against sUAS threats with versatile employment options at a low cost, and maneuver forces increased freedom of movement and protection during large scale combat operations. This project supports Air and Missile Defense Modernization priority efforts. Work in this project complements Program Element (PE) 0602141A (Lethality Technology) / Project CJ7 (Future Air and Missile Defense Enabling Technology); PE 0602147A (Long Range Precision Fires Technology / Project AF8 (Affordable Extended Range Precision Technology); and PE 0603464A (Air and Missile Defense Advanced Technology) / Project SU2 (Counter s-UAS Advanced Tech). The cited work is consistent with the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering priority focus areas and the Army modernization strategy. Work in this Project is performed by the Aviation & Missile Center (AvMC).

Mission — Advanced Weapons Components (CA) source

Congressional Interest Item funding provided for Advanced Weapon Components. The cited work is consistent with the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering priority focus areas and the Army Modernization Strategy.

Mission — High Energy Laser Direct Diode Apl Tech source

This Project designs and develops single mode diode emitters to increase output power to 100 Watts with >60% electrical-to-optical efficiency and packaging for an array of emitters. This Project will leverage industry and National Labs research to overcome gain limitations in the semi-conductor gain region. This Project also funds research necessary to make significant improvements to the size, weight, and power (SWaP) of laser subsystems. Research in this Project complements other Army Directed Energy efforts conducted under (PE) 0602150A (Air and Missile Defense Technology)/Project DC1 (Next Generation Directed Energy Concept Development and Analysis) and PE 0603466A (Air and Missile Defense Advanced Technology)/Project CV6 (Optimized High Energy Laser Source Advanced Technology). The cited research is consistent with the Army's modernization programs, the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering priority focus areas, the Army Modernization Strategy, and supports the Army's future capability opportunities for leap-ahead technology for Directed Energy. Research is performed by the United States Army Space and Missile Defense Command - Technical Center (USASMDC-TC) in coordination with RCCTO.

Mission — Vulnerability Modules for Multi-Domain Operations source

This Project will design and develop High Energy Laser (HEL) Vulnerability Modules (VM), engagement tactics data and kill signatures for targeting Unmanned Aerial Systems, Cruise Missiles, and Rotary Wing threats for future HEL weapon systems. VM development includes Smart VM development to enable real time threat feature detection and targeting. Smart VMs enable optimized aimpoint selection across a large range of current and future threat targets, increasing the HEL Weapon Systems lethality. Research in this Project complements other Army Directed Energy efforts conducted under (PE) 0602150A (Air and Missile Defense Technology)/Project DC1 (Next Generation Directed Energy Concept Development and Analysis. The cited research is consistent with the Army's modernization programs, the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering priority focus areas, the Army Modernization Strategy, and supports the Army's future capability opportunities for leap-ahead technology for Directed Energy. Research is performed by the United States Army Space and Missile Defense Command - Technical Center (USASMDC-TC) in coordination with RCCTO and PEO Missiles and Space/PM Shield.

Mission — Radar Survivability through Dis Sensing Tech source

This project investigates and develops critical radar capability enhancements to defeat advanced Air and Missile threats and protect Army maneuver forces and critical assets. Radar enhancements are required for advanced Electronic Protection (EP) techniques against advanced jammers, electronic Combat Identification (CID), and resource optimization across the threat spectrum while retaining 360 degree coverage capability. Technology development includes providing capabilities for: dispersed multi-static operation, classifying/tracking emerging threats and high-volume threats; adaptive digital beam forming to enable resource efficiency, performance in a dynamic clutter environment and enhanced survivability in a contested battlespace; and multi-modal tracking and additional discrimination models to support diverse and emerging threats, such as swarms and guided munitions. Enhanced development for the state-of-the-art scalable, digital array radar testbed to include advanced algorithms, transmitted power, antenna gain, detection range and angle accuracy/resolution upgrades to the existing/new radar front/back ends will allow greater performance characterization for Multi-mission Army Radar systems supporting Multi-domain Operations (MDO). This research complements Program Element (PE) 0602141A (Lethality Technology) / Project CG4 (Advanced Radar Concepts); PE 0602148A (Future Vertical Lift Technology) / Project CC3 (FVL Radar Technology); and PE 0601102A (Defense Research Sciences) / Project AA8 (Foundational Distributed Radar); and PE0602141A (Lethality Technology) / Project CJ7 (Future Air Defense Missile Enabling Technology) and PE 0603466A (Air and Missile Defense Advanced Technology) / Project DB3 (Radar Survivability through Dis Sensing Adv Tech)); and PE 0602275A (Electronic Warfare Applied Research)/ Project A70 (Sensor Electronic Support Tech); and PE 0603275A (Electronic Warfare Advance d Technology) / Project A78 (Sensor Electronic Support Adv Tech) The cited work is consistent with the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering priority focus areas and the Army modernization strategy. Work in this Project is performed by the Aviation & Missile Center (AvMC).

Mission — Next Generation DE Concept Development & Analysis source

This Project researches and investigates technologies that will enable next generation directed energy weapons to operate more efficiently and defend against challenging evolving threats. Research areas investigated include lethality effectiveness, adaptive optics, beam control, laser sources, algorithms, and analyses for applications that will enable an improved layered defense capability. This Project determines critical activities to enable next generation directed energy technical innovations. Work in this Project complements (PE) 0602150A (Air and Missile Defense Technology)/Projects CV7 (High Energy Laser Direct Diode Applied Technology), CV8 (Vulnerability Modules for Multi-Domain Operations) and DE3 (Advanced Beam Control Component Development for Counter-Cruise Missile) and PE 0603466A (Air and Missile Defense Advanced Technology)/Projects CV6 (Optimized High Energy Laser Source Advanced Technology) and IB1 (Integrated Beam Control Systems Demonstration for Counter-Cruise Missile). The cited research is consistent with the Army's modernization programs, the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering priority focus areas, the Army Modernization Strategy, and supports the Army's future capability opportunities for leap-ahead technology for Directed Energy. Research is performed by the United States Army Space and Missile Defense Command - Technical Center (USASMDC-TC).

Mission — Adv Beam Control Component Development for C-CM source

This project researches and develops advanced beam control technologies to enable new sensors, illuminators, deformable mirrors, wavefront sensors (WFS), optical components, and acquisition and tracking concepts. Design and develop an advanced large-aperture off-axis beam expander, incorporating innovative, cost-saving component research. Develop algorithms for WFS and laser-quality tracking. This effort will increase effective range for multi-domain missions, including counter-cruise missile operations. Work in this Project complements (PE) 0602150A (Air and Missile Defense Technology)/Project DC1 (Next Generation Directed Energy Concept Development and Analysis) and PE 0603466A (Air and Missile Defense Advanced Technology)/Project IB1 (Integrated Beam Control Systems Demonstration for Counter-Cruise Missile). The cited research is consistent with the Army's modernization programs, the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering priority focus areas, the Army Modernization Strategy, and supports the Army's future capability opportunities for leap-ahead technology for Directed Energy. Research is performed by the United States Army Space and Missile Defense Command - Technical Center (USASMDC-TC) in coordination with RCCTO.

Mission — High Power Microwave Technology source

This Project will design and develop High Power Microwave (HPM) Vulnerability Data, engagement tactics data and kill signatures for targeting Unmanned Aerial Systems, Cruise Missiles, and Precision Guided Munition (PGM) threats for future HPM weapon systems. It will also develop additional HPM capabilities unique to the Army needs including antennas, sources, and other HPM system components. Data developed will be incorporated to enable real time threat detection and targeting, increasing the lethality of the HPM weapon systems through optimizing waveform selection. Research in this Project complements other Army Directed Energy efforts conducted for IFPC-HPM, PE 0604019A / Expanded Mission Area Missile (EMAM). The cited research is consistent with the Army's modernization programs, the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering priority focus areas, the Army Modernization Strategy, and supports the Army's future capability opportunities for leap-ahead technology for Directed Energy. Research is performed by the United States Army Space and Missile Defense Command - Technical Center (USASMDC-TC) in coordination with RCCTO and PEO Missiles and Space.

Mission — Radar Survivability through Dis Sensing Tech source

This project investigates and develops critical radar capability enhancements to defeat advanced Air and Missile threats and protect Army maneuver forces and critical assets. Radar enhancements are required for advanced Electronic Protection (EP) techniques against advanced jammers, electronic Combat Identification (CID), and resource optimization across the threat spectrum while retaining 360 degree coverage capability. Technology development includes providing capabilities for: dispersed multi-static operation, classifying/tracking emerging threats and high-volume threats; adaptive digital beam forming to enable resource efficiency, performance in a dynamic clutter environment and enhanced survivability in a contested battlespace; and multi-modal tracking and additional discrimination models to support diverse and emerging threats, such as swarms and guided munitions. Enhanced development for the state-of-the-art scalable, digital array radar testbed to include advanced algorithms, transmitted power, antenna gain, detection range and angle accuracy/resolution upgrades to the existing/new radar front/back ends will allow greater performance characterization for Multi-mission Army Radar systems supporting Multi-domain Operations (MDO). This research complements Program Element (PE) 0602141A (Lethality Technology) / Project CG4 (Advanced Radar Concepts); PE 0602148A (Future Vertical Lift Technology) / Project CC3 (FVL Radar Technology); and PE 0601102A (Defense Research Sciences) / Project AA8 (Foundational Distributed Radar); and PE0602141A (Lethality Technology) / Project CJ7 (Future Air Defense Missile Enabling Technology) and PE 0603466A (Air and Missile Defense Advanced Technology) / Project DB3 (Radar Survivability through Dis Sensing Adv Tech)); and PE 0602275A (Electronic Warfare Applied Research)/ Project A70 (Sensor Electronic Support Tech); and PE 0603275A (Electronic Warfare Advance d Technology) / Project A78 (Sensor Electronic Support Adv Tech) The cited work is consistent with the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering priority focus areas and the Army modernization strategy. Work in this Project is performed by the Aviation & Missile Center (AvMC).

Mission — Next Generation DE Concept Development & Analysis source

This Project researches and investigates technologies that will enable next generation directed energy weapons to operate more efficiently and defend against challenging evolving threats. Research areas investigated include lethality effectiveness, adaptive optics, beam control, laser sources, algorithms, and analyses for applications that will enable an improved layered defense capability. This Project determines critical activities to enable next generation directed energy technical innovations. Work in this Project complements (PE) 0602150A (Air and Missile Defense Technology)/Projects CV7 (High Energy Laser Direct Diode Applied Technology), CV8 (Vulnerability Modules for Multi-Domain Operations) and DE3 (Advanced Beam Control Component Development for Counter-Cruise Missile) and PE 0603466A (Air and Missile Defense Advanced Technology)/Projects CV6 (Optimized High Energy Laser Source Advanced Technology) and IB1 (Integrated Beam Control Systems Demonstration for Counter-Cruise Missile). The cited research is consistent with the Army's modernization programs, the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering priority focus areas, the Army Modernization Strategy, and supports the Army's future capability opportunities for leap-ahead technology for Directed Energy. Research is performed by the United States Army Space and Missile Defense Command - Technical Center (USASMDC-TC).

Mission — Adv Beam Control Component Development for C-CM source

This project researches and develops advanced beam control technologies to enable new sensors, illuminators, deformable mirrors, wavefront sensors (WFS), optical components, and acquisition and tracking concepts. Design and develop an advanced large-aperture off-axis beam expander, incorporating innovative, cost-saving component research. Develop algorithms for WFS and laser-quality tracking. This effort will increase effective range for multi-domain missions, including counter-cruise missile operations. Work in this Project complements (PE) 0602150A (Air and Missile Defense Technology)/Project DC1 (Next Generation Directed Energy Concept Development and Analysis) and PE 0603466A (Air and Missile Defense Advanced Technology)/Project IB1 (Integrated Beam Control Systems Demonstration for Counter-Cruise Missile). The cited research is consistent with the Army's modernization programs, the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering priority focus areas, the Army Modernization Strategy, and supports the Army's future capability opportunities for leap-ahead technology for Directed Energy. Research is performed by the United States Army Space and Missile Defense Command - Technical Center (USASMDC-TC) in coordination with RCCTO.

Mission — High Power Microwave Technology source

This Project will design and develop High Power Microwave (HPM) Vulnerability Data, engagement tactics data and kill signatures for targeting Unmanned Aerial Systems, Cruise Missiles, and Precision Guided Munition (PGM) threats for future HPM weapon systems. It will also develop additional HPM capabilities unique to the Army needs including antennas, sources, and other HPM system components. Data developed will be incorporated to enable real time threat detection and targeting, increasing the lethality of the HPM weapon systems through optimizing waveform selection. Research in this Project complements other Army Directed Energy efforts conducted for IFPC-HPM, PE 0604019A / Expanded Mission Area Missile (EMAM). The cited research is consistent with the Army's modernization programs, the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering priority focus areas, the Army Modernization Strategy, and supports the Army's future capability opportunities for leap-ahead technology for Directed Energy. Research is performed by the United States Army Space and Missile Defense Command - Technical Center (USASMDC-TC) in coordination with RCCTO and PEO Missiles and Space.

Mission — Counter Small Unmanned Aircraft Sys (C-sUAS) Tech source

This Project investigates, designs and develops novel Counter-small Unmanned Aircraft System (C-sUAS) kinetic missile interceptor capabilities. Project will transition technologies for increased range, reduce reaction time, increase lethality, improve reliability, reduce reload time for fixed site and mobile C-sUAS configurations. Provides maneuver forces a quick-response, high speed, long-range kinetic interceptor capabilities against Group 3 small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) that operate at higher altitudes with greater standoff ranges for Multi-Domain Operations (MDO). Designs and develops small, lightweight, and low-cost missile interceptor technologies for increased magazine depth (stowed kills) to enable brigade/maneuver force kinetic defeat of numerous sUAS at short range. Provides deeper magazine against sUAS threats with versatile employment options at a low cost, and maneuver forces increased freedom of movement and protection during large scale combat operations. This project supports Air and Missile Defense Modernization priority efforts. Work in this project complements Program Element (PE) 0602141A (Lethality Technology) / Project CJ7 (Future Air and Missile Defense Enabling Technology); PE 0602147A (Long Range Precision Fires Technology / Project AF8 (Affordable Extended Range Precision Technology); and PE 0603464A (Air and Missile Defense Advanced Technology) / Project SU2 (Counter s-UAS Advanced Tech). The cited work is consistent with the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering priority focus areas and the Army modernization strategy. Work in this Project is performed by the Aviation & Missile Center (AvMC).

Mission — Air and Missile Defense Technology source

This Program Element (PE) line is directly aligned with the Air & Missile Defense (AMD) Army Modernization Priority. Work in this PE investigates and develops AMD technologies to enable defense of ground forces and selected geopolitical assets from aerial attack, missile attack, and surveillance. Major focus areas for AMD Science and Technology include: Missiles, Directed Energy, Gun-Based Air Defense Technologies, and Battlefield Sensors and Supporting AMD Technologies. Missiles Applied Research investigates and develops a broad range of Missile technologies to enhance Army integrated AMD capabilities at extended range. Directed Energy Applied Research investigates and develops critical High Energy Laser (HEL) technologies to explore performance against Air Defense threats and for other Directed Energy applications across Army Modernization Priorities. Gun-Based Air Defense Technologies Applied Research investigates and develops Combined Arms for Air Defense (CAFAD) technologies and components in a laboratory environment. Sensors and Supporting AMD Technologies Applied Research investigates and develops Battlefield Sensor and radar technologies required for detection, acquisition and tracking of air defense targets as well as supporting technologies that enhance AMD. Work in this PE complements PE 0603466A (Air and Missile Defense Advanced Technology). The cited research is consistent with the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering priority focus areas and the Army Modernization Strategy. Research is performed by U.S. Army Aviation and Missiles Center (AvMC). The FY 2026 request was reduced by $1.463 million for Advisory and Assistance Services to promote efficiencies and advance the policies of the Administration in alignment with Executive Order 14222, "Implementing the President's Department of Government Efficiency Cost Efficiency Initiative." The FY 2026 request was reduced by $0.078 million for civilian personnel to optimize the workforce in compliance with Executive Order 14210, "Implementing the President's Department of Government Efficiency Workforce Optimization Initiative."

Mission — Unconventional Countermeasures-Survivability Tech source

This Project designs and develops technologies to deter tactical surveillance and targeting by adversarial area denial systems and munitions. The Project investigates methods to increase survivability of critical assets against precision-guided near-peer advanced weapons threats, investigates and develops tonedown methods for signature management, and computationally develops novel countermeasures. This Project also develops a suite of high-fidelity, physics-based modeling and simulation tools for the design and development of unconventional countermeasures and survivability enhancers applicable to a wide range of operating environments. Work in this Project complements Program Element (PE) 0603466A (Air and Missile Defense Advanced Technology) / Project AE3 (Unconventional Countermeasures-Survivability ATech). The work cited is consistent with the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering priority focus areas and the Army Modernization Strategy. Work in this Project is performed by the United States Army Engineer Research and Development Center Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory.

Mission — Vulnerability Modules for Multi-Domain Operations source

This Project will design and develop High Energy Laser (HEL) Vulnerability Modules (VM), engagement tactics data and kill signatures for targeting Unmanned Aerial Systems, Cruise Missiles, and Rotary Wing threats for future HEL weapon systems. VM development includes Smart VM development to enable real time threat feature detection and targeting. Smart VMs enable optimized aimpoint selection across a large range of current and future threat targets, increasing the HEL Weapon Systems lethality. Research in this Project complements other Army Directed Energy efforts conducted under (PE) 0602150A (Air and Missile Defense Technology)/Project DC1 (Next Generation Directed Energy Concept Development and Analysis. The cited research is consistent with the Army's modernization programs, the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering priority focus areas, the Army Modernization Strategy, and supports the Army's future capability opportunities for leap-ahead technology for Directed Energy. Research is performed by the United States Army Space and Missile Defense Command - Technical Center (USASMDC-TC) in coordination with RCCTO and PEO Missiles and Space/PM Shield.

Mission — Advanced Weapons Components (CA) source

Congressional Interest Item funding provided for Advanced Weapon Components. The cited work is consistent with the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering priority focus areas and the Army Modernization Strategy.

Mission — High Energy Laser Direct Diode Apl Tech source

This Project designs and develops single mode diode emitters to increase output power to 100 Watts with >60% electrical-to-optical efficiency and packaging for an array of emitters. This Project will leverage industry and National Labs research to overcome gain limitations in the semi-conductor gain region. This Project also funds research necessary to make significant improvements to the size, weight, and power (SWaP) of laser subsystems. Research in this Project complements other Army Directed Energy efforts conducted under (PE) 0602150A (Air and Missile Defense Technology)/Project DC1 (Next Generation Directed Energy Concept Development and Analysis) and PE 0603466A (Air and Missile Defense Advanced Technology)/Project CV6 (Optimized High Energy Laser Source Advanced Technology). The cited research is consistent with the Army's modernization programs, the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering priority focus areas, the Army Modernization Strategy, and supports the Army's future capability opportunities for leap-ahead technology for Directed Energy. Research is performed by the United States Army Space and Missile Defense Command - Technical Center (USASMDC-TC) in coordination with RCCTO.

Accomplishments & Planned Programs (18)