Aerospace Propulsion and Power Technology

PE 0603216F: Aerospace Propulsion and Power Technology is a Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) program element managed by the Air Force under Budget Activity 3: Advanced Technology Development. The primary goal of this program is to develop and demonstrate enabling and revolutionary advances in aerospace propulsion including turbine, advanced-cycle, rocket, and space propulsion as well as electrical power, thermal management, and fuels. The program is designed to enhance the performance, reliability, and survivability of current and future Air Force weapon systems, while reducing vulnerability, weight, and life cycle costs.

633035: Aerospace Power Technology focuses on developing and demonstrating adaptive power and thermal management components, controls, and systems for high-power payloads and aircraft. The objectives include improving reliability and maintainability of electrical power systems, reducing system weight, and supporting the integration of energy-optimized aircraft. Congressional adds in FY 2024 targeted hydrogen fuel cell and silicon carbide research, aiming to advance fuel cell technology and power electronics for aerospace applications. In FY 2025, this project was transferred to another program element to better integrate power and thermal management with overall aircraft systems.

634093: Missile Rocket Propulsion Integration & Demo is dedicated to the development and demonstration of innovative rocket propulsion technologies, including solid rocket motor boosters, missile propulsion, post-boost control, and aging/surveillance efforts. The project emphasizes environmental acceptability, affordability, reliability, and responsiveness, with a focus on increasing the life and performance of propulsion systems. Congressional adds in FY 2024 supported infrastructure upgrades for hypersonic booster tests, altitude chamber infrastructure, hybrid rocket engine development, and liquid engine initiatives for hypersonic testing. These efforts are reviewed annually by a DoD-level steering committee and contribute to sustaining the rocket propulsion industry for the entire Department of Defense.

634921: Aircraft Propulsion Subsystems Integration aims to increase turbine engine operational reliability, durability, mission flexibility, and performance, while reducing weight, fuel consumption, and cost of ownership. The project develops demonstrator engines for manned and unmanned systems, integrating advanced core technologies with low-pressure components such as fans, turbines, and engine controls. Efforts also include improving propulsion safety, readiness, and engine-to-airframe compatibility. Key objectives are to enable longer range, higher cruise speeds, and increased mission effectiveness for aircraft and missile platforms. In FY 2025, this project was transferred to another program element to align with core technical competencies.

635098: Advanced Aerospace Propulsion focuses on developing and demonstrating scramjet propulsion cycles to a technology readiness level suitable for integration with turbine and rocket-based engines. The main goal is to provide transformational capabilities for military aircraft and weapon platforms through hydrocarbon-fueled scramjet engines. Research areas include optimizing scramjet flow-paths for a wide range of Mach numbers, active combustion control, robust flame-holding, and advanced thermal management. In FY 2025, this project transitioned to another program element to support high-speed systems integration and demonstration.

Across all projects within PE 0603216F, the program supports necessary civilian pay expenses and facility operation and maintenance to manage and deliver science and technology capabilities. Coordination is conducted through the DoD Science and Technology Executive Committee to harmonize efforts and eliminate duplication. The program is categorized under Advanced Technology Development, focusing on subsystem and component development and integration into system prototypes for field experiments or simulated tests.