Advanced Weapons Technology

The Advanced Weapons Technology program (PE 0603605F) is a research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) initiative managed by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) under the Department of the Air Force (DAF). Its primary goal is to develop and demonstrate advanced directed energy weapon systems, specifically high energy lasers (HEL) and high power electromagnetic (HPEM) technologies, to support critical Air Force mission areas. These include countering adversary unmanned aerial systems (c-UAS), intelligence/surveillance/reconnaissance (c-ISR), missiles (c-Missile), and electronic infrastructure (c-Electronic). The program is part of Budget Activity 3, focusing on advanced technology development, subsystem integration, and prototype demonstration in simulated environments.

High Power Solid State Laser Technology is a major line item within the Advanced Weapons Technology program. Its objective is to develop and demonstrate integrated HEL weapon systems for point defense and protection of high-value airborne assets. The project leverages prior investments and technology advancements from related programs, including Directed Energy Technology and Laser Technology. Specific goals include integrating advancements in laser sources, optical beam combination, beam control, and propagation onto ground-mobile and airborne platforms, followed by demonstration against relevant threats.

In FY 2024, efforts focused on testing and demonstrating packaged HEL and beam control subsystems, as well as planning for compact, low-size, weight, and power (SWaP) airborne laser systems. In FY 2025, the project planned to reduce testing and demonstration activities, limiting support to in-house government personnel. Planning for the next phase of advanced integrated technologies for compact airborne laser weapon systems was also scaled back. By FY 2026, all work on testing, demonstration, and planning for advanced HEL technologies was scheduled to cease, reflecting a strategic realignment and reduction in scope. This adjustment is part of a broader effort to optimize core research areas and improve resource efficiency within the Science and Technology portfolio.

A notable congressional add in FY 2024 for the High Power Solid State Laser Technology project was an allocation for LIDAR CUAS automated target recognition. This effort aimed to enhance the ability of HEL systems to automatically detect and track unmanned aerial systems using LIDAR-based technologies. However, no further congressional adds or related activities were planned for FY 2025 and beyond. The project does not have an acquisition strategy or other program funding summary, indicating its focus remains on RDT&E activities rather than procurement.

High Power Microwave Development and Integration is the second major line item under the Advanced Weapons Technology program. Its mission is to develop and demonstrate high power microwave (HPM) and unconventional electromagnetic field generation technologies for future weapon systems. These technologies are intended to support a wide range of Air Force missions, such as air base defense and the disruption or destruction of adversary electronic infrastructure. The project also contributes to Department of Defense databases on susceptibility, vulnerability, and lethality, which inform the scalable effects of directed energy weapons.

In FY 2025, the High Power Microwave Development and Integration project planned to terminate development of HPM components for integration into various platforms, modeling tools, and next-generation high frequency sources. The focus shifted to in-house government exploration of novel methods to increase power, reduce logistical and maintenance requirements, and design antennas for base defense and airborne applications. The project also continued collaboration with other military services on the Directed Energy Frontline Electromagnetic Neutralization and Defeat (DEFEND) system for base defense missions.

For FY 2026, the project's objectives included continuing exploration of methods to increase power and reliability of HPM sources, completing a base defense demonstration with the DEFEND system in collaboration with the Navy, and advancing the design of conformal antennas and new sources for airborne applications. The decrease in funding from FY 2025 to FY 2026 reflects a planned reduction in scope as the program transitions from procurement and integration to demonstration activities.