Printed from https://fiscalreceipts.com/program/0603043A/ — data as of July 28, 2026. Every figure is citation-backed; see the page online for per-number provenance.
Air Platform Advanced Technology
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? →
- FY24
- $13.6M
- FY25
- $17.1M
- FY26
- $41.3M
● actuals (line) · ○ enacted · ◇ request — gaps are editions the program is absent from, never interpolated.
| Series | FY20 | FY21 | FY22 | FY23 | FY24 | FY25 | FY26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Actuals | $0 | $0 | $727.0K | $13.1M | $13.6M | ||
| Enacted | – | $0 | $754.0K | $17.9M | $14.2M | $17.1M | |
| Request | – | – | $754.0K | $17.9M | $14.2M | $17.1M | $41.3M |
blank = series not published for this year; – = absent from that edition.
Asked vs spent: the PB2023 book requested $17.9M for FY2023; the PB2025 book reports $13.1M actually spent — $4.88M below the request.
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 — Air Vehicle Improvement & Adv Tech (AVIATe)
This project enhances Army aviation mission capability and address operational energy and environmental challenges. Includes the maturation, system integration, and demonstration of technologies including advanced engines, hybrid and electric systems, power and control allocation, propulsive power delivery, electric actuation, structures, and other technologies that enhance performance, efficiency or are critical to implementation up to the aircraft system level. Work in this Project complements Program Element (PE) 0602183A (Air Platform Applied Technology) / Project DK1 (Air Vehicle Integrated & Alternative Tech (AVIATe)). The cited research 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 Rotors Advanced Tech
This Project investigates Future Vertical Lift (FVL) and other Army and Department of Defense (DoD) advanced drive train technologies that increase performance and double current drivetrain life cycles while improving their reliability and maintainability. Work in this Project is fully coordinated with PE 0602183A (Air Platform Applied Technology) / Project CW3 (Advanced Rotors Applied Technology). 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 — Structures Platform Int Resilience & Efficiency
This Project will ensure a continuous stream of transition-ready critical structures advanced technologies for improvement of performance (via weight efficiency and multifunctionality for parasitic weight avoidance) and resilience (survivability, sustainment, and operational availability). Work in this Project is fully coordinated with Program element (PE) 0602183A (Air Platform Applied Technology) / Project CU8 (Structures Tech for Enduring Efficient Resilience). 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 Platform Enabling University Adv Development
This Project focuses on experimentation and demonstration of advanced technologies originating from extramural applied research in academia pertaining to navigation/routing, autonomous robotic vehicles, artificial intelligence and machine learning as applied to aerial mobility and maneuver, holistic survivability, teaming, integrated mission systems, air-launched effects, and other innovative air enabling applied research technologies, that will accelerate the Army modernization in next generation aerial vehicles. This Project will mature and integrate advanced efforts to focus more on mid to far-term Army modernization priorities while also maintaining delivery of near-term technologies fundamental to the modernization priorities. This effort conducts and demonstrates advanced technology efforts arising from academic research in all areas of strategic importance to Army Aviation in artificial intelligence / machine learning (AI/ML), autonomous teaming systems, survivability, aeromechanics, advanced vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) design & concepts, flight dynamics, vibration & noise control, propulsion, human factor engineering and structures and materials, etc., by bringing competitively selected Universities with research and development teams into Technical Alliances. The Project will continuously experiment with methods to identify, demonstrate and transition novel technology from entities that might not otherwise collaborate with the Department of Defense (DoD), with the end goal of accelerating the adoption of cutting-edge applied research technology for the warfighter in the Army aviation portfolio. Work in this Project complements Program Element (PE) 0603465A (Future Vertical Lift Advanced Technology), PE 0603119A (Ground Advanced Technology), PE 0602148A (Future Vertical Lift Technology) and PE 0602183A (Air Platform Applied Research). 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 Army Research Laboratory (ARL).
Mission — Control & Autonomy for Tactical Superiority Adv
This Project will deliver advanced flight controls, autonomy technologies, and new handling qualities criteria are implemented and tested in a realistic environment to demonstrate their functionality and increase their technology readiness level (TRL). This Project also delivers demonstrated and matured flight controls and autonomy technologies at TRL 6 to transition partners. Work in this Project complements Program Element (PE) 0602183A (Air Platform Applied Technology) / Project CU7 (Control & Autonomy for Tactical Superiority 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 Platform Advanced Technology
This Program Element (PE) undertakes advanced technology efforts that support and enable the overall Army Aviation portfolio in general, and the Army's modernization priority for Future Vertical Lift (FVL). Vital and enduring research into advanced technologies is conducted pertinent to the air portfolio that supports mid-to-long term requirements in contested operational environments and technologies that have broad application to FVL modernization, as well as overall Army and specific Department of Defense (DoD) aviation needs. Research in this PE contributes to the Army Science and Technology (S&T) air systems portfolio and is fully coordinated with efforts in PE 0602148A (Future Vertical Lift Technology), PE 0603465A (Future Vertical Lift Advanced Technology) and PE 0602183A (Air Platform Applied Research). The cited research is consistent with the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering S&T focus areas and the Army Modernization Strategy. Research in this PE is performed by the Army Research Laboratory (ARL), Aviation and Missiles Center (AvMC) and Information Technology Laboratory. The FY 2026 request was reduced by $0.592 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 $0.096 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 — HPC For Army Aviation Concepts
This Project matures and demonstrates the use of high-fidelity computational fluid dynamics for Future Vertical Lift (FVL) platforms through the utilization of Department of Defense (DoD) High- Performance Computing (HPC) and software tools for cutting-edge modeling and simulation, as well as adding software capabilities for workflow automation and design space exploration. Efforts in this Project are also applicable to the family of FVL and Future Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (FTUAS) platforms. Work in this Project complements PE 0602183A (Air Platform Applied Research). The work cited 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 United States Army Engineer Research and Development Center Information Technology Laboratory.
Mission — Structures Platform Int Resilience & Efficiency
This Project will ensure a continuous stream of transition-ready critical structures advanced technologies for improvement of performance (via weight efficiency and multifunctionality for parasitic weight avoidance) and resilience (survivability, sustainment, and operational availability). Work in this Project is fully coordinated with Program element (PE) 0602183A (Air Platform Applied Technology) / Project CU8 (Structures Tech for Enduring Efficient Resilience). 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 Rotors Advanced Tech
This Project investigates Future Vertical Lift (FVL) and other Army and Department of Defense (DoD) advanced drive train technologies that increase performance and double current drivetrain life cycles while improving their reliability and maintainability. Work in this Project is fully coordinated with PE 0602183A (Air Platform Applied Technology) / Project CW3 (Advanced Rotors Applied Technology). 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 — HPC For Army Aviation Concepts
This Project matures and demonstrates the use of high-fidelity computational fluid dynamics for Future Vertical Lift (FVL) platforms through the utilization of Department of Defense (DoD) High- Performance Computing (HPC) and software tools for cutting-edge modeling and simulation, as well as adding software capabilities for workflow automation and design space exploration. Efforts in this Project are also applicable to the family of FVL and Future Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (FTUAS) platforms. Work in this Project complements PE 0602183A (Air Platform Applied Research). The work cited 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 United States Army Engineer Research and Development Center Information Technology Laboratory.
Mission — Air Vehicle Improvement & Adv Tech (AVIATe)
This project enhances Army aviation mission capability and address operational energy and environmental challenges. Includes the maturation, system integration, and demonstration of technologies including advanced engines, hybrid and electric systems, power and control allocation, propulsive power delivery, electric actuation, structures, and other technologies that enhance performance, efficiency or are critical to implementation up to the aircraft system level. Work in this Project complements Program Element (PE) 0602183A (Air Platform Applied Technology) / Project DK1 (Air Vehicle Integrated & Alternative Tech (AVIATe)). The cited research 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 Platform Enabling University Adv Development
This Project focuses on experimentation and demonstration of advanced technologies originating from extramural applied research in academia pertaining to navigation/routing, autonomous robotic vehicles, artificial intelligence and machine learning as applied to aerial mobility and maneuver, holistic survivability, teaming, integrated mission systems, air-launched effects, and other innovative air enabling applied research technologies, that will accelerate the Army modernization in next generation aerial vehicles. This Project will mature and integrate advanced efforts to focus more on mid to far-term Army modernization priorities while also maintaining delivery of near-term technologies fundamental to the modernization priorities. This effort conducts and demonstrates advanced technology efforts arising from academic research in all areas of strategic importance to Army Aviation in artificial intelligence / machine learning (AI/ML), autonomous teaming systems, survivability, aeromechanics, advanced vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) design & concepts, flight dynamics, vibration & noise control, propulsion, human factor engineering and structures and materials, etc., by bringing competitively selected Universities with research and development teams into Technical Alliances. The Project will continuously experiment with methods to identify, demonstrate and transition novel technology from entities that might not otherwise collaborate with the Department of Defense (DoD), with the end goal of accelerating the adoption of cutting-edge applied research technology for the warfighter in the Army aviation portfolio. Work in this Project complements Program Element (PE) 0603465A (Future Vertical Lift Advanced Technology), PE 0603119A (Ground Advanced Technology), PE 0602148A (Future Vertical Lift Technology) and PE 0602183A (Air Platform Applied Research). 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 Army Research Laboratory (ARL).
Mission — Air Platform Advanced Technology
This Program Element (PE) undertakes advanced technology efforts that support and enable the overall Army Aviation portfolio in general, and the Army's modernization priority for Future Vertical Lift (FVL). Vital and enduring research into advanced technologies is conducted pertinent to the air portfolio that supports mid-to-long term requirements in contested operational environments and technologies that have broad application to FVL modernization, as well as overall Army and specific Department of Defense (DoD) aviation needs. Research in this PE contributes to the Army Science and Technology (S&T) air systems portfolio and is fully coordinated with efforts in PE 0602148A (Future Vertical Lift Technology), PE 0603465A (Future Vertical Lift Advanced Technology) and PE 0602183A (Air Platform Applied Research). The cited research is consistent with the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering S&T focus areas and the Army Modernization Strategy. Research in this PE is performed by the Army Research Laboratory (ARL), Aviation and Missiles Center (AvMC) and Information Technology Laboratory. The FY 2026 request was reduced by $0.592 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 $0.096 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 — Control & Autonomy for Tactical Superiority Adv
This Project will deliver advanced flight controls, autonomy technologies, and new handling qualities criteria are implemented and tested in a realistic environment to demonstrate their functionality and increase their technology readiness level (TRL). This Project also delivers demonstrated and matured flight controls and autonomy technologies at TRL 6 to transition partners. Work in this Project complements Program Element (PE) 0602183A (Air Platform Applied Technology) / Project CU7 (Control & Autonomy for Tactical Superiority 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).
Justification
Accomplishments & Planned Programs (24)
Data Curation & Analysis Resource (DCAR)
This effort provides a suite of modular, generalizable capabilities designed to support integrated, cradle-to-grave, useful, and responsible workflows for data-driven decision-making in support of Future Vertical Lift.
Machine-Assisted Design and Evaluation
This effort matures advanced machine-assisted design algorithms to explore design spaces and improve resilience for Future Vertical Lift (FVL). Physics-informed machine learning will improve and augment high-fidelity simulation and expand availability of high-fidelity data for tradespace generation and analysis. Reinforcement learning and other computational exploration methods will improve evaluation of mission effectiveness of FVL platforms.
Advanced Simulation for Army Aviation (ASAA)
This effort expands the application of high-fidelity simulation by reducing solution times and incorporating multi-disciplinary analysis through the integration of advanced aviation simulation and HPC-enabled coupled-physics modeling.
Innovative Rotor Design Methodology
Full scale demonstration of Government led blade design optimized, including high fidelity Computational Fluid Dynamics / Computational Structural Dynamics analysis, for hover & forward flight. Activities include rotor blade fabrication, structural substantiation testing, airworthiness process, whirl testing, & flight testing.
Lightweight Durable Rotor Technologies
This effort matures and demonstrates full scale, integrated durable rotor system technologies to improve rotor blade service lives and reduce maintenance costs aimed to satisfy future capability needs for aviation and FVL increased system durability, efficiency, speed, range, and payload. Potential technologies include lightweight and highly durable blade erosion protection, low power and more reliable blade deicing capability, more reliable rotor system sensors/instrumentation, reliable and durable rotor actuation, low drag/low part count hubs, and improved blade repair methodologies.
Adaptive Tactical Autonomy and Control (ATAC) Technology Demonstration
Mature, integrate, and demonstrate advanced flight control technologies and state-of-the-art autonomy algorithms that provide Future Vertical Lift (FVL) aircraft with enhanced maneuverability and agility, reduced cognitive workload, improved survivability through damage tolerance, and the ability to operate on an autonomy spectrum from piloted to fully autonomous and exploit degraded environments as a force multiplier.
Autonomy for Combat Environment Sustainment (ACES) Demo
This effort matures and integrates a tailored set of autonomy algorithms and technologies aimed at combat environment sustainment leveraging enduring fleet assets. Demonstrate technologies and capabilities through flight testing on Army flying laboratories.
Adaptive Resilient Engineered Structures (ARES)
Mature, integrate, and demonstrate advanced structures technologies providing performance, survivability, and sustainment benefits with broad applicability across platform scale and role, enabling mission success for manned/unmanned Future Vertical Lift (FVL) platforms in the contested environment of multi-domain operations.
Vertical Lift Advanced Technologies
Conduct advanced development within academia to mature and integrate Vertical Lift research of promising and emerging technologies.
Hybrid-Electric Aviation Technology (HEAT) Demonstration
This effort focuses on developing data to assess the viability of meeting future rotorcraft motive and mission equipment power needs through demonstration of hybrid-electric technology up to the aircraft system level. Emphasis will be on analytical tool and technology maturation, identifying hybrid-electric applications through system design and optimization, executing risk mitigation through analysis and test, system integration, and addressing suitability aspects in order to inform and plan future transition into current fleet and FVL aircraft.
Advanced Computational Environments
This effort provides a web-delivered, HPC-enabled computational environment to improve execution and transition of modeling and simulation activities in support of Future Vertical Lift (FVL). The computational environment demonstrates an advanced, extensible framework for putting new or improved methods directly in the hands of designers and evaluators.
Advanced Computational Technologies for Army Aviation
This effort supports FVL by utilizing advanced computational techniques leveraging automated design processes to expand computational testbeds in support of testing and evaluation. Increase high accuracy physics in modeling and simulation to optimize platforms for all operational environments and mission scenarios. Provide multi-fidelity computational models of candidate FLRAA and FTUAS platforms to support acquisition decision-makers.
Lightweight Durable Rotor Technologies
This effort matures and demonstrates full scale, integrated durable rotor system technologies to improve rotor blade service lives and reduce maintenance costs aimed to satisfy future capability needs for aviation and FVL increased system durability, efficiency, speed, range, and payload. Potential technologies include lightweight and highly durable blade erosion protection, low power and more reliable blade deicing capability, more reliable rotor system sensors/instrumentation, reliable and durable rotor actuation, low drag/low part count hubs, and improved blade repair methodologies.
Autonomy for Combat Environment Sustainment (ACES) Demo
This effort matures and integrates a tailored set of autonomy algorithms and technologies aimed at combat environment sustainment leveraging enduring fleet assets. Demonstrate technologies and capabilities through flight testing on Army flying laboratories.
Adaptive Resilient Engineered Structures (ARES)
Mature, integrate, and demonstrate advanced structures technologies providing performance, survivability, and sustainment benefits with broad applicability across platform scale and role, enabling mission success for manned/unmanned Future Vertical Lift (FVL) platforms in the contested environment of multi-domain operations.
Data Curation & Analysis Resource (DCAR)
This effort provides a suite of modular, generalizable capabilities designed to support integrated, cradle-to-grave, useful, and responsible workflows for data-driven decision-making in support of Future Vertical Lift.
Advanced Simulation for Army Aviation (ASAA)
This effort expands the application of high-fidelity simulation by reducing solution times and incorporating multi-disciplinary analysis through the integration of advanced aviation simulation and HPC-enabled coupled-physics modeling.
Vertical Lift Advanced Technologies
Conduct advanced development within academia to mature and integrate Vertical Lift research of promising and emerging technologies.
Hybrid-Electric Aviation Technology (HEAT) Demonstration
This effort focuses on developing data to assess the viability of meeting future rotorcraft motive and mission equipment power needs through demonstration of hybrid-electric technology up to the aircraft system level. Emphasis will be on analytical tool and technology maturation, identifying hybrid-electric applications through system design and optimization, executing risk mitigation through analysis and test, system integration, and addressing suitability aspects in order to inform and plan future transition into current fleet and FVL aircraft.
Innovative Rotor Design Methodology
Full scale demonstration of Government led blade design optimized, including high fidelity Computational Fluid Dynamics / Computational Structural Dynamics analysis, for hover & forward flight. Activities include rotor blade fabrication, structural substantiation testing, airworthiness process, whirl testing, & flight testing.
Advanced Computational Environments
This effort provides a web-delivered, HPC-enabled computational environment to improve execution and transition of modeling and simulation activities in support of Future Vertical Lift (FVL). The computational environment demonstrates an advanced, extensible framework for putting new or improved methods directly in the hands of designers and evaluators.
Machine-Assisted Design and Evaluation
This effort matures advanced machine-assisted design algorithms to explore design spaces and improve resilience for Future Vertical Lift (FVL). Physics-informed machine learning will improve and augment high-fidelity simulation and expand availability of high-fidelity data for tradespace generation and analysis. Reinforcement learning and other computational exploration methods will improve evaluation of mission effectiveness of FVL platforms.
Advanced Computational Technologies for Army Aviation
This effort supports FVL by utilizing advanced computational techniques leveraging automated design processes to expand computational testbeds in support of testing and evaluation. Increase high accuracy physics in modeling and simulation to optimize platforms for all operational environments and mission scenarios. Provide multi-fidelity computational models of candidate FLRAA and FTUAS platforms to support acquisition decision-makers.
Adaptive Tactical Autonomy and Control (ATAC) Technology Demonstration
Mature, integrate, and demonstrate advanced flight control technologies and state-of-the-art autonomy algorithms that provide Future Vertical Lift (FVL) aircraft with enhanced maneuverability and agility, reduced cognitive workload, improved survivability through damage tolerance, and the ability to operate on an autonomy spectrum from piloted to fully autonomous and exploit degraded environments as a force multiplier.
Budget Line Items(workbook-cited)
Exhibit R-1
| Account | Org | Type | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Army | A | FY24 Actuals | $13.6M |
| Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Army | A | FY25 Enacted | $17.1M |
| Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Army | A | FY25 Total | $17.1M |
| Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Army | A | FY26 Disc. Request | $41.3M |
| Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Army | A | FY26 Total | $41.3M |
Budget Details(R-2/P-40 facts)
| Project | FY24 Actuals | FY25 Total | FY26 Base | FY26 Request |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CV2: Structures Platform Int Resilience & Efficiency | $3.24M | $5.15M | $6.52M | $6.52M |
| DC3: HPC For Army Aviation Concepts | $5.33M | $5.51M | $7.23M | $7.23M |
| CX1: Advanced Rotors Advanced Tech | $2.56M | $2.69M | $7.46M | $7.46M |
| DK2: Air Vehicle Improvement & Adv Tech (AVIATe) | — | $1.00M | $9.78M | $9.78M |
| CV1: Control & Autonomy for Tactical Superiority Adv | $1.21M | $1.26M | $10.3M | $10.3M |
| Program Element | $13.6M | $17.1M | $41.3M | $41.3M |
| CL4: Air Platform Enabling University Adv Development | $1.32M | $1.47M | — | — |
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? →