Advanced Aerospace Systems

The Advanced Aerospace Systems program, managed by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) under Program Element (PE) 0603286E, focuses on advanced technology development to achieve revolutionary new capabilities in aerospace systems. The objective is to provide undeterrable air presence at reduced costs by pursuing high-payoff opportunities rather than incremental advancements. The program emphasizes rapid prototyping, integrated system experimentation, and the development of enabling subsystems. It explores new architectural concepts that combine weapon technologies to achieve lethality through performance and quantity, rather than relying on singular, high-value assets. Beginning in FY 2026, efforts under this PE will transition to PE 0603468E, Advanced Complex Systems.

LongShot is a key initiative within this program, aimed at developing and flight-demonstrating an air-launched system capable of engaging multiple adversary targets from standoff ranges using existing air-to-air missiles. The system is designed for deployment from both fighters and bombers, leveraging a fuel-efficient air vehicle for ingress and retaining energetic missiles for target engagement. The program addresses challenges such as stability and control when launching missiles from small, uninhabited platforms. Transition partners include the Navy and Air Force. FY 2025 will focus on wind tunnel and propulsion system testing, software integration, and host aircraft certification.

SPRINT (SPeed and Runway INdependent Technologies) X-Plane Demonstration Project seeks to develop and demonstrate technologies for combined high-speed and vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) in a single aircraft. The project aims to validate these technologies through the fabrication and flight testing of a demonstrator, reducing technical and cost risk for future operational systems. This capability is intended to support missions such as infiltration, personnel recovery, logistics, and armed escort. FY 2025 activities include simulations, subsystem testing, and design reviews.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Reinforcements (AIR) is focused on developing dominant tactical autonomy for multi-ship, beyond visual range (BVR) air combat missions. The program aims to create highly accurate, fast-running models to enable robust AI-driven autonomy, using F-16 testbeds for human-on-the-loop development. The goal is to automate tactical control tasks on piloted platforms and enable minimal human oversight for unpiloted vehicles, with the U.S. Air Force as the transition partner. FY 2025 plans include integration of F-16 testbeds, accelerated model development, and verification in offensive and defensive mission sets.

CRANE (Control of Revolutionary Aircraft with Novel Effectors) is developing and demonstrating advances in aircraft controls technology, specifically through Active Flow Control (AFC). The program involves designing, building, and flight testing an aircraft that maneuvers using AFC, which manipulates aerodynamic flow via fluid ejection or suction. The technologies and models developed are intended for transition to all military services and the civilian sector. FY 2025 efforts include completing flight test approvals and conducting ground and flight testing of the demonstration aircraft.

Liberty Lifter is tasked with designing and demonstrating a large-payload, survivable, dual-regime aircraft capable of extended on-water operations and runway-independent flight. The program aims to deliver a technology demonstrator that can operate in high sea states and deploy amphibious cargo, supporting rapid logistics and search and rescue in maritime domains. FY 2025 activities focus on manufacturing plan review, subcomponent testing, and finalizing technical data packages.

Other notable efforts include advancing hypersonic cruise missile technologies, developing VTOL unmanned air systems for infrastructure-less launch and recovery, rapidly enhancing drone autonomy, studying emerging technologies and threats, and developing hit-to-kill interceptors for hypersonic threats. Each of these efforts is designed to address specific operational gaps or future threats, with FY 2025 marking significant milestones in design, testing, and demonstration. These programs aim to maintain U.S. technological superiority in aerospace systems through innovation, rapid development, and close coordination with military service partners.