Advanced Enabling Technologies

The Advanced Enabling Technologies program element (PE 0603469E), managed by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), is designed to exploit emerging opportunities in electronics, quantum sciences, photonics, materials, communications, software, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and cyber technologies. The overarching goal is to combine cutting-edge commercial and defense innovations to provide disruptive capabilities for the warfighter. This program supports both technology development and robust transition planning to ensure that DARPA-funded advancements are adopted within the U.S. defense ecosystem, thereby strengthening national security.

AET-01: Advanced C4 Systems focuses on developing and demonstrating technologies that enhance communications, information integration, and decision support for U.S. military forces. The program aims to ensure timely, reliable, secure, and synchronized dissemination of command and control information across all military echelons. Key objectives include supporting distributed crewed, uncrewed, and human-machine teams in all operational domains, with special emphasis on end-to-end kill chains.

Efforts include leveraging commercial networks to enable secure communications in contested environments and using proliferated on-orbit sensors and automated data fusion to enhance space situational awareness for the U.S. Space Force and Space Development Agency.

AET-02: Advanced Disruptive Microtechnologies is dedicated to accelerating the transition of advanced microsystems, including quantum circuits, integrated photonic-electronic components, and scalable manufacturing technologies. The initiative aims to establish a domestic capability for three-dimensional heterogeneously-integrated microelectronics through an open-access prototyping center. Other objectives include ensuring software correctness on advanced processors with low overhead and developing compact, high-power laser tiles for scalable high energy laser weapon systems. These technologies are intended for transition to various military services and commercial partners.

AET-03: Advanced Cyber Systems supports the development, implementation, and demonstration of tools and frameworks for full-spectrum cyber operations. The program enables rapid delivery of AI, ML, and data science-driven cyber technologies and prototypes for operational use. It also demonstrates formal methods-based software development to reduce cyber vulnerabilities and facilitate high assurance in both new and legacy systems.

Additional efforts provide cyber situational awareness tools for warfighters and focus on emerging cyber security concepts, including formal analysis, secure collaboration among autonomous agents, and digital twins for mission resiliency. These efforts are closely coordinated with DoD cyber operators and acquisition offices to ensure relevance and rapid transition.

AET-07: Advanced Enabling Technologies Support encompasses non-headquarters management costs that facilitate DARPA's operations across the entire Advanced Enabling Technologies program element. This includes network support, contractor services, program security, building security, commercial transition services, outreach to universities and industry, and support for Program Managers from other government agencies. These support functions are essential for maintaining the infrastructure required to execute and transition DARPA-funded technologies, ensuring that innovations remain within the U.S. and contribute to national defense capabilities.

The FY 2026 budget reflects a significant transfer of efforts from previous program elements, consolidating advanced electronics, command and control, and cyber systems under PE 0603469E. This strategic realignment is intended to streamline innovation, accelerate technology transition, and maximize the impact of DARPA's investments in advanced enabling technologies for national defense.