Defense Research Sciences

Defense Research Sciences under the Army's Research, Development, Test & Evaluation budget activity, focuses on building fundamental scientific knowledge to sustain the US Army's technological superiority in land warfighting capability and address long-term national security needs. The program investigates new concepts and technologies for the Army's future force, fosters innovation in niche areas such as lightweight armor and night vision capability, and supports basic research at Army laboratories through the In-House Laboratory Independent Research (ILIR) program. It also leverages research efforts of other government agencies, academia, and industry to foster innovation and technology transition.

The specific objectives of this program include fostering innovation in niche areas relevant to the Army's future force, supporting basic research at Army laboratories through the ILIR program, and leveraging research efforts of other government agencies, academia, and industry. The program aims to contribute to the sustainment of the US Army's scientific and technological superiority in land warfighting capability by investigating new concepts and technologies for the Army's future force. Additionally, it seeks to exploit scientific breakthroughs and avoid technological surprises while focusing on university single investigator research on high-interest areas for the Army. The program also aims to identify emerging and disruptive basic scientific research outcomes to translate, integrate, and ingrain research outcomes with Army Warfighting Concepts.