Printed from https://fiscalreceipts.com/program/0602345A/ — data as of July 28, 2026. Every figure is citation-backed; see the page online for per-number provenance.
Unmanned Aerial Systems Launched Effects Applied Research
Budget Figures
FY2026 award data is a partial year — USASpending awards are reported on a rolling basis and the fiscal year does not close until September 30. why partial FY2026 data? →
Insufficient trajectory data for sparkline (only FY26 available).
● actuals (line) · ○ enacted · ◇ request — gaps are editions the program is absent from, never interpolated.
| Series | FY26 |
|---|---|
| Request | $18.4M |
blank = series not published for this year; – = absent from that edition.
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 — Unmanned Aerial Systems Launched Effects Applied Research
This Program Element (PE) conducts uncrewed air vehicle and mission system component design, fabrication, and evaluation to enable unmanned aerial system modernization. Emphasis is on developing aviation platform and mission system technologies to enhance uncrewed air vehicle combat and combat support operations for attack, reconnaissance, air assault, survivability, logistics, and command and control missions. The PE will fund civilian salaries for in-house researchers/scientists and program managers. Work in this PE contributes to the Army Science and Technology (S&T) air systems portfolio and is fully coordinated with efforts in PE 0603465A (Future Vertical Lift Advanced Technology), 0603043A (Air Platform Advanced Technology), and 0603345A (Unmanned Aerial Systems Launched Effects Advanced Technology Development). The cited work is consistent with the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering priority focus areas and the Army modernization strategy.
Mission — Aviation Teaming Autonomy Concepts & Technologies
This Project establishes agile research in multi-level simulations, physics-based models, and artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) algorithms and methods to inform and advance capabilities for heterogeneous advanced teaming concepts to support operations in complex and peer contested environments. This Project focuses on advancing innovations to enable concepts and technology for deep sensing and effects, complex mobility and maneuver for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) (and small UAS), and adaptive behaviors to optimize formation performance. This Project focuses on agile and adaptable reconfiguration of teams of multiple autonomous assets for strategic maneuvering, targeting, striking, and long-range precision navigation efforts in adversarial environments. Work in this Project is fully coordinated with PE 0602345A (Unmanned Aerial Systems Launched Effects Applied Research) / Project A41 (Adv Teaming for Tactical Aviation Operations Tech). The cited work is consistent with the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Science and Technology focus areas and the Army modernization strategy. Work in this Project is performed by Army Research Laboratory (ARL).
Mission — Air Launched Effects Technology
This Project utilizes improved analytic modeling to investigate the effects that potential unmanned system capabilities could have on air vehicle design considerations and operational concepts. This Project improves government capability to design and assess novel Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) concepts. This Project also develops and investigates the ability to launch a UAS from Army manned or unmanned aircraft at tactical altitudes and from manned or unmanned ground platforms and to control the same after launch from nearby air and ground assets, as well as development of the associated payloads (recon, battle damage assessment, targeting, comms, decoy). This Project will assess the enabled capabilities and determine their relevance to current Army Aviation engagement and survivability portfolios. Work in this Project is fully coordinated with Program Element (PE) 0603345A (Unmanned Aerial Systems Launched Effects Advanced Technology Development) / Project A45 (Air Launched Effects Advanced Technology). The cited work is consistent with the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Science and Technology focus areas and the Army modernization strategy. Work in this Project is performed by Aviation and Missile Center (AvMC).
Mission — Adv Teaming for Tactical Aviation Operations Tech
This Project investigates and develops subsystem and component level technologies that enable advanced teaming behaviors for mixed platform formations in combined arms operations. Primary component technologies to develop are in the areas of resilient autonomy algorithms, team-based communications and situational awareness management, decision aiding for weapons systems engagement, autonomous terrain and collision avoidance, and human autonomy interface design. The cited work is consistent with the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Science and Technology focus areas and the Army modernization strategy. Work in this Project is performed by the Aviation & Missile Center (AvMC), and the Command, Control, Communication, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C5ISR) Center.
Mission — Air Launched Effects Technology
This Project utilizes improved analytic modeling to investigate the effects that potential unmanned system capabilities could have on air vehicle design considerations and operational concepts. This Project improves government capability to design and assess novel Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) concepts. This Project also develops and investigates the ability to launch a UAS from Army manned or unmanned aircraft at tactical altitudes and from manned or unmanned ground platforms and to control the same after launch from nearby air and ground assets, as well as development of the associated payloads (recon, battle damage assessment, targeting, comms, decoy). This Project will assess the enabled capabilities and determine their relevance to current Army Aviation engagement and survivability portfolios. Work in this Project is fully coordinated with Program Element (PE) 0603345A (Unmanned Aerial Systems Launched Effects Advanced Technology Development) / Project A45 (Air Launched Effects Advanced Technology). The cited work is consistent with the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Science and Technology focus areas and the Army modernization strategy. Work in this Project is performed by Aviation and Missile Center (AvMC).
Mission — Unmanned Aerial Systems Launched Effects Applied Research
This Program Element (PE) conducts uncrewed air vehicle and mission system component design, fabrication, and evaluation to enable unmanned aerial system modernization. Emphasis is on developing aviation platform and mission system technologies to enhance uncrewed air vehicle combat and combat support operations for attack, reconnaissance, air assault, survivability, logistics, and command and control missions. The PE will fund civilian salaries for in-house researchers/scientists and program managers. Work in this PE contributes to the Army Science and Technology (S&T) air systems portfolio and is fully coordinated with efforts in PE 0603465A (Future Vertical Lift Advanced Technology), 0603043A (Air Platform Advanced Technology), and 0603345A (Unmanned Aerial Systems Launched Effects Advanced Technology Development). The cited work is consistent with the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering priority focus areas and the Army modernization strategy.
Mission — Adv Teaming for Tactical Aviation Operations Tech
This Project investigates and develops subsystem and component level technologies that enable advanced teaming behaviors for mixed platform formations in combined arms operations. Primary component technologies to develop are in the areas of resilient autonomy algorithms, team-based communications and situational awareness management, decision aiding for weapons systems engagement, autonomous terrain and collision avoidance, and human autonomy interface design. The cited work is consistent with the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Science and Technology focus areas and the Army modernization strategy. Work in this Project is performed by the Aviation & Missile Center (AvMC), and the Command, Control, Communication, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C5ISR) Center.
Mission — Aviation Teaming Autonomy Concepts & Technologies
This Project establishes agile research in multi-level simulations, physics-based models, and artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) algorithms and methods to inform and advance capabilities for heterogeneous advanced teaming concepts to support operations in complex and peer contested environments. This Project focuses on advancing innovations to enable concepts and technology for deep sensing and effects, complex mobility and maneuver for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) (and small UAS), and adaptive behaviors to optimize formation performance. This Project focuses on agile and adaptable reconfiguration of teams of multiple autonomous assets for strategic maneuvering, targeting, striking, and long-range precision navigation efforts in adversarial environments. Work in this Project is fully coordinated with PE 0602345A (Unmanned Aerial Systems Launched Effects Applied Research) / Project A41 (Adv Teaming for Tactical Aviation Operations Tech). The cited work is consistent with the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Science and Technology focus areas and the Army modernization strategy. Work in this Project is performed by Army Research Laboratory (ARL).
Justification
Accomplishments & Planned Programs (10)
Intelligent Unmanned Aerial System Teaming Technologies
Enables the establishment of component technologies to support resilient, multi-modal, survivable Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) teams that can plan and act on time-scales beyond human capability and have a robust shared understanding of contested and dynamic environments to support effective tactical engagement. Specific topics include 1) novel artificial-intelligence algorithms and methods for adaptive team composition and control, 2) increased team knowledge base and understanding of local and global world models, 3) hierarchical, composable, and adaptive learning methods for increased mission resilience, and 4) understanding interaction and scalability between, amongst, and across heterogeneous team members and the environment.
Versatile Launched Effects (VLE) Concepts
Conducts configuration trades analysis studies and develops technologies that support air and ground launched effects operations in complex, contested environments including urban / fringe and littoral. Matures individual technologies and design concepts that shape investment for Versatile Air Launched Effects Demonstration and inform the System Specifications for the LE Program of Record.
Intelligent Aerial Teaming Behaviors for Precise Complex Effects
This effort will develop capabilities to equip Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) platforms with novel range and maneuver capabilities to enable elusive behaviors, endurance (time and distance) to ensure access, and collaborative precision action. This effort will generate deliverables to enable flexible platforms with distributed sense and effect and complex closed loop precision effects. Research will impact the development of lightweight and low-cost platform and payload components and focus on high value technical advances to provide critical capabilities for launched effects and high dynamic UAS maneuverability for long-range missions.
Advanced Teaming Concepts
Investigates and develops subsystem and component level technologies that enable advanced manned and unmanned teaming behaviors for mixed air and ground platform formations in combined arms operations.
Enhanced Optics for Long Range Targeting
This effort will deliver affordable low size, weight, and power (SWaP) electro-optic infrared (EOIR) payload technologies enabling attritable Unmanned Air Systems (UAS) for launched effects and one-way attack munitions. This work enhances effective teaming with multi-modal sensors and modular designs enable government owned optical designs to be integrated into commercial payloads with industry partners ensuring solutions provide Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) task capability with necessary pixels on target across mission sets.
Advanced Teaming Concepts
Investigates and develops subsystem and component level technologies that enable advanced manned and unmanned teaming behaviors for mixed air and ground platform formations in combined arms operations.
Intelligent Aerial Teaming Behaviors for Precise Complex Effects
This effort will develop capabilities to equip Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) platforms with novel range and maneuver capabilities to enable elusive behaviors, endurance (time and distance) to ensure access, and collaborative precision action. This effort will generate deliverables to enable flexible platforms with distributed sense and effect and complex closed loop precision effects. Research will impact the development of lightweight and low-cost platform and payload components and focus on high value technical advances to provide critical capabilities for launched effects and high dynamic UAS maneuverability for long-range missions.
Intelligent Unmanned Aerial System Teaming Technologies
Enables the establishment of component technologies to support resilient, multi-modal, survivable Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) teams that can plan and act on time-scales beyond human capability and have a robust shared understanding of contested and dynamic environments to support effective tactical engagement. Specific topics include 1) novel artificial-intelligence algorithms and methods for adaptive team composition and control, 2) increased team knowledge base and understanding of local and global world models, 3) hierarchical, composable, and adaptive learning methods for increased mission resilience, and 4) understanding interaction and scalability between, amongst, and across heterogeneous team members and the environment.
Versatile Launched Effects (VLE) Concepts
Conducts configuration trades analysis studies and develops technologies that support air and ground launched effects operations in complex, contested environments including urban / fringe and littoral. Matures individual technologies and design concepts that shape investment for Versatile Air Launched Effects Demonstration and inform the System Specifications for the LE Program of Record.
Enhanced Optics for Long Range Targeting
This effort will deliver affordable low size, weight, and power (SWaP) electro-optic infrared (EOIR) payload technologies enabling attritable Unmanned Air Systems (UAS) for launched effects and one-way attack munitions. This work enhances effective teaming with multi-modal sensors and modular designs enable government owned optical designs to be integrated into commercial payloads with industry partners ensuring solutions provide Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) task capability with necessary pixels on target across mission sets.
Budget Line Items(workbook-cited)
Exhibit R-1
| Account | Org | Type | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Army | A | FY26 Disc. Request | $18.4M |
| Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Army | A | FY26 Total | $18.4M |
Budget Details(R-2/P-40 facts)
| Project | FY26 Base | FY26 Request |
|---|---|---|
| A43: Aviation Teaming Autonomy Concepts & Technologies | $2.73M | $2.73M |
| A42: Air Launched Effects Technology | $3.68M | $3.68M |
| A41: Adv Teaming for Tactical Aviation Operations Tech | $12.0M | $12.0M |
| Program Element | $18.4M | $18.4M |
No follow-the-dollar view — this program's awards haven't been crosswalked at high confidence (flows cover 17 of 1741 programs). why coverage is partial? →
Awards
No awards are linked to this program element at high 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.
No research dossier for this program — dossiers cover 50 of 1741 programs, the largest fully J-book-detailed lines by FY2026 requested dollars. why no dossier here? →