Aerospace Sensors

The PE 0602204F: Aerospace Sensors program is a key Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) initiative under the Department of the Air Force's Science & Technology portfolio, focused on advancing multi-domain sensor and electromagnetic combat capabilities. The overarching objective is to develop and mature technologies that enhance combat effectiveness through improved surveillance, reconnaissance, precision targeting, and electromagnetic warfare. This program supports foundational research, technology integration, and workforce development to ensure the Air Force maintains technological superiority in contested environments.

Electronic Component Technology aims to develop next-generation electronics and optoelectronics for aerospace sensor and electronic warfare applications. Its goals include creating smaller, lighter, more reliable, and cost-effective components for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and precision engagement. Funding in FY 2026 reflects a consolidation of efforts, emphasizing microelectronics technology development, photonics, and trusted electronics. Key objectives include advancing wide-bandgap semiconductor devices, chip-scale photonic/electronic transceivers, and assured microelectronics to impede unwanted technology transfer and enable rapid adoption of commercial innovations. Congressional adds in FY 2024 supported quantum optoelectronic materials, hardware security, and zero-trust environments for semiconductors.

EO Sensors & Countermeasures Tech previously focused on developing advanced electro-optical sensor technologies for offensive and defensive aerospace applications, including ultraviolet to infrared sensing, hyperspectral imaging, and laser radar systems. The project's objectives were to improve detection, tracking, and identification of non-cooperative targets and enable precision targeting in challenging environments. In FY 2026, technical work and funding for passive EO/IR sensing and laser radar sensing were realigned to the RF Sensors and Countermeasures Tech project to better integrate EO and RF capabilities. This reflects a strategic shift toward multi-domain sensor fusion.

Cyber Technology supported research into resilient and secure avionics and mission systems, focusing on understanding and mitigating cyber vulnerabilities. The project developed hardware/software solutions for real-time cyber-attack detection, autonomous protection, and open architecture concepts for flexible mission systems. In FY 2026, funding and activities were integrated into Electronic Warfare Technology and RF Sensors and Countermeasures Tech, specifically targeting radio frequency electronic warfare and distributed sensing to enhance the cyber resilience of sensor networks and avionics.

Electronic Warfare Technology develops affordable, reliable radio frequency countermeasure concepts for aerospace applications, covering communications, navigation, ISR, and radar across all domains. Its objectives include advancing electronic warfare, integrated radar/EW systems, and electro-optical/infrared seeker defeat technologies. The project also supports positioning, navigation, and timing integrity in contested environments, with ongoing research into satellite navigation alternatives, trust techniques, and adaptive radio frequency EW technologies. FY 2026 activities include further development of multi-spectrum threat defeat concepts, hardware-in-the-loop assessment capabilities, and digital engineering for threat modeling.

Sensor Fusion Technology focuses on closed-loop autonomous sensing using multiple domains and platforms to provide intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and situational awareness. Key goals are automating multi-sensor exploitation, leveraging AI/ML for data fusion, and developing edge and distributed processing for timely decision-making. FY 2026 funding increased to support multi-domain sense making, sensing autonomy, and integration of non-traditional cyber-physical sensing sources. The project emphasizes rapid transition from research to advanced demonstrations, standardization of integration environments, and performance evaluation for autonomous ISR systems.

RF Sensors and Countermeasures Tech integrates and advances affordable, reliable radio frequency sensing and countermeasure concepts, including multi-band/multifunction RF sensing, distributed passive radar, and advanced receiver technologies. FY 2026 objectives include expanding multi-beam digital arrays, deploying passive sensing techniques, and developing scalable sensor payloads for collaborative platforms. The project also incorporates realigned EO/IR and laser radar sensing efforts to enhance detection, tracking, and identification of difficult targets. Additional goals include improving modeling and simulation for radar performance, synchronizing less capable radars, and developing automatic target recognition for moving targets, supporting the Air Force's operational imperatives for moving target engagement at scale.