Advanced Aerospace Sensors

Develop and demonstrate new techniques for finding and identifying critical mobile targets (both land and maritime) in a highly contested environment. Bring together multi-domain electro-optical/infrared and radio frequency technologies suitable for the contested environment, in conjunction with advanced processing and algorithms to provide for decision-making at the edge. Multiple sensing modalities may be deployed on the same platform or on separate platforms to improve survivability and flexibility. A focus is on providing actionable information to a user deciding on future actions, such as strike. The effort will conduct a robust demonstration showing how the techniques enable combat operations, emphasizing resilience and tactically-relevant persistence.

This effort will develop and demonstrate new technologies and techniques for finding, identifying, and maintaining custody of critical, high-value targets (both land and maritime). It provides real-time multi-domain battlespace awareness technologies for future capabilities. Emphasis will be placed on the demands of a highly contested environment. However, the challenges presented by long-distance operations and theater-wide combat operations will also be addressed. Research and development will bring together multi-domain, cross-platform electro-optical/infrared, radio frequency, spectrum dominance, and positioning, navigation and timing technologies suitable for the highly contested environment in conjunction with advanced processing and algorithms to provide for decision-making at the edge as well as to support more conventional intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, command and control decision making, and spectrum dominance capabilities. Multiple sensing modalities may be deployed on the same platform or on separate platforms to improve effectiveness, robustness, survivability, and flexibility. Fusion of information from multiple sources with on-board and local sensors to provide higher fidelity battlespace awareness information. Technologies needed for automated and autonomous operations will be developed and applied as appropriate. An important focus of this activity is on providing actionable information to decision makers as part of the Sensing Grid concept to feed the Joint All Domain Command and Control capability. The effort will conduct robust demonstrations showing how the techniques enable combat operations, emphasizing resilience, and tactically relevant persistence. In FY 2026, the funding and technical activities from Program 0603203F, Advanced Aerospace Sensors; Project 63665A, Advanced Aerospace Sensors Technology; Multi-Spectrum Sensing Demonstration Effort was aligned to this effort. In FY 2026 Surface Targets Sense-Making was renamed ISR and Targeting of Surface Targets.

Integrate emerging technologies to demonstrate enhanced forward air-layer air base defense capabilities. Goal is to improve surveillance, shorten reaction time, and to apply a range of effects at precise points to provide early warning and enable defensive measures. FY 2025 funding for the technical work for this effort was realigned from Program Element 0603203F, Advanced Aerospace Sensors, Project 6369DF, Target Attack and Recognition Technology, Integrated Sensing Demonstration effort.

Develop and demonstrate integrated electro-optical, radio frequency, electronic warfare, and precision navigation and timing systems along with advanced processing and algorithms to enhance Department of the Air Force kill chain operations. In FY 2026, the funding and technical activities from Program 0603203F, Advanced Aerospace Sensors; Project 63665A, Advanced Aerospace Sensors Technology; Integrated Sensing Demonstration Effort was aligned to this effort.

Integrate emerging technologies to develop and demonstrate electromagnetic warfare spectrum dominance concepts, technologies, and techniques. Goal is to counter advanced complex electromagnetic threats in contested environments across radio frequency and electro-optic/infrared spectrums. The effort also develops and transitions robust Global Navigation Satellite System capabilities; resilient complementary position, navigation, and timing techniques; precise position, navigation, and timing technologies for distributed sensing/effects; position, navigation, and timing technology to provide position, navigation, and timing electronic warfare situational awareness and training; and position, navigation, and timing architectures to enable resiliency against the rapidly evolving threat. Efforts will include prototypes and relevant Open Architecture standards where applicable to enable timely technology transition. FY 2026 increased compared to FY 2025 by $33.403 million due to the realignment of funding and technical activities from the following efforts into this effort. - Program Element 0603270F, Electronic Combat Technology; Project 633720, Quick Reaction Capabilities; Resilient Positioning, Navigation and Timing Effort. - Program Element 0603270F, Electronic Combat Technology; Project 633720, Quick Reaction Capabilities; Integrated EW Demonstration Effort. - Program Element 0603270F, Electronic Combat Technology; Project 63431G RF Warning & Countermeasures Tech; Spectrum Dominance Technology Demonstrations Effort.

Integrate emerging technologies to demonstrate enhanced forward air-layer air base defense capabilities. Goal is to improve surveillance, shorten reaction time, and to apply a range of effects at precise points to provide early warning and enable defensive measures.

Design, develop, and demonstrate an artificial intelligence tactical autopilot engaging in multi-ship/multi-role beyond visual range and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance combat operations with proficiency at or greater than Weapons School graduates. Design, develop, and demonstrate an artificial intelligence-driven multi-platform/multi-domain sense-making, predictive analytics, and orchestration at the tactical edge to track/identify air and ground targets. Design, develop, and integrate safe autonomy tools for multi-satellite teaming operations. Integrates safety assurances at run-time with advanced artificial intelligence/machine learning tools incorporating operator preferences and interfacing to enable catered and efficient planning to the next generation of operators. Develop, integrate, and demonstrate dynamic command/control of tanking operations. Optimize air refueling operations and plan for contingencies.