Advanced Complex Systems

The Advanced Complex Systems program, managed by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) under Program Element (PE) 0603468E, is designed to pursue revolutionary advancements in air and space system capabilities. Its overarching objective is to achieve undeterrable air and space presence at significantly reduced costs by leveraging rapid prototyping, experimentation, and integration of innovative vehicle subsystems. The program emphasizes the development of new architectural concepts that combine a mix of weapon technologies, focusing on overwhelming performance and quantity rather than reliance on singular, high-value assets. This approach aims to address emerging aerospace threats and enhance the lethality and survivability of U.S. military platforms.

Within the main program, the ACX-01 line item supports several specific research and development initiatives. The LongShot project is developing and flight-testing an air-launched system capable of engaging multiple adversary targets from standoff ranges using existing air-to-air missiles. This system is designed for deployment from both fighters and bombers, and it aims to improve weapon effectiveness by combining fuel-efficient ingress vehicles with highly energetic missile payloads. Key objectives include completing flight test vehicle fabrication, software integration, airworthiness certification, captive carry tests, and live fire demonstrations, with transition partners identified as the Navy and Air Force.

The SPRINT X-Plane Demonstration Project focuses on technologies enabling combined high-speed and vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capabilities in a single aircraft. This effort supports military missions such as infiltration, personnel recovery, logistics, and armed escort by developing a demonstrator aircraft that validates critical technologies and reduces risk for future operational systems. Plans include finalizing design activities, subsystem development, flight test planning, and initial manufacturing and assembly of the demonstrator vehicle, with anticipated transition to a Department of Defense component for further testing.

The Otter program is advancing air-breathing propulsion technologies for operations in very low earth orbital domains, aiming to extend mission duration and maneuverability in previously inaccessible regions. Efforts include developing new propulsion systems, ground test capabilities, and analysis tools, culminating in a long-duration spaceflight demonstration. Objectives involve hardware acceptance testing, integration of propulsion systems, environmental qualification, and selection of a launch partner, with the U.S. Space Force as the intended transition partner.

Other notable projects include AI Reinforcements (AIR), which seeks to develop dominant tactical autonomy for multi-ship, beyond visual range air combat missions using advanced AI models and human-on-the-loop F-16 testbeds. MoHAWC is focused on improving the effectiveness and producibility of air-launched hypersonic cruise missiles, while CRANE aims to demonstrate revolutionary aircraft control technologies using Active Flow Control. The Robotic Servicing of Geosynchronous Satellites (RSGS) and DRACO programs address on-orbit servicing and advanced propulsion for cislunar operations, respectively. Additionally, the program funds studies to evaluate emerging technologies, operational concepts, and countermeasures for future military applications.

The ACX-07 line item provides essential non-headquarters management and operational support for the entire program element. This includes network and equipment support, contractor and program security, building security, commercial transition services, outreach to universities and industry, and administrative funding for program managers. These support activities are allocated on a pro-rata basis across DARPA's budget activities and are critical for ensuring the smooth execution and transition of research outcomes to operational use.