Dominant Information Sciences and Methods

Mission — Dominant Information Sciences and Methods source

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 executes applied research to develop information technologies for the Department of the Air Force to address technology gaps for Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Targeting (C5ISRT). These technologies are required to advance the state-of-the-art for C5ISRT that encompasses integrated systems and processes used by the Department of the Air Force and its joint & coalition partners, to collect, process, analyze, and disseminate information to achieve decision-making superiority for warfighter operations. The C4I Dominance Technology Project provides the technologies for (a) informed decision making and coordinated operations; (b) reliable, resilient, and secure communications; (c) advanced computer processing and data & information analysis. C4I is defined as Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence. The Cyberspace Dominance Technology Project provides the technologies to achieve and maintain superiority in cyberspace (aligning with air, land, sea, and space domains), focusing on cyber offense, cyber defense, and cyber resilience. The Research Site Support Project provides the Rome Research Site infrastructure at Rome, New York and provides for the continued operations of all Rome Research Site properties, buildings, and services necessary for the research mission for AFRL and for the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) Rome, NY location. Efforts in this program have been coordinated through the Department of Defense (DoD) Science and Technology (S&T) Executive Committee process to harmonize efforts and eliminate duplication. 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, 0601102F, 0602020F, 0602102F, 0602202F, 0602203F, 0602204F, 0602298F, 0602336F, 0602602F, 0602605F, and 0603680F. In FY 2026, $104.926 million is budgeted in this program for 627 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 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 — C4I Dominance Technology source

This project executes mission-driven applied research to advance the critical technologies supporting Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence (C4I), a core enabler of operational effectiveness across the Department of the Air Force (DAF). Activities under this project accelerate the development of next-generation capabilities to ensure time-dominant decision-making, enable synchronized multi-domain operations, and provide reliable, cyber-secure communications in contested environments. Additionally, these efforts advance high-speed computing and data analytics to support real-time intelligence processing and information fusion, which are essential to operational readiness and the successful implementation of Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control (CJADC2).

Mission — Cyberspace Dominance Technology source

This project will execute mission-driven applied research to develop and transition advanced technologies that secure and sustain superiority in the cyberspace domain, fully aligned with joint operations across air, land, sea, and space. The efforts under this Project will focus on three key pillars: (1) cyber offense—enabling precision effects and proactive disruption of adversarial capabilities; (2) cyber defense—ensuring robust protection of critical infrastructure, systems, and platforms against persistent and adaptive threats; and (3) cyber resilience—designing systems that can anticipate, absorb, and recover from attacks with speed and agility. By integrating these capabilities across multi-domain operations, these technologies support the Department of the Air Force's (DAF) and Department of Defense's (DoD) strategic vision for a secure, interoperable, and resilient digital ecosystem. It directly contributes to the development of agile, lethal, and networked forces capable of operating with decision advantage in highly dynamic threat environments.

Mission — Research Site Support source

The Research Site Support Project ensures the continued operation, maintenance, and modernization of the Rome Research Site infrastructure in Rome, New York. This site is a strategic asset supporting both the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS), enabling uninterrupted research, innovation, and financial operations essential to national defense. The project provides comprehensive support for all Rome Research Site properties, buildings, utilities, and services—ensuring a secure, resilient, and fully functional environment for day-to-day mission execution and long-term strategic objectives.

Accomplishments & Planned Programs (11)