Aerospace Technology Dev/Demo

The PE 0603211F: Aerospace Technology Development/Demonstration program is a key Air Force research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) effort focused on advanced technology development for aerospace systems. Its overarching goal is to accelerate the integration and demonstration of cutting-edge technologies such as autonomy, propulsion, power and thermal management, air vehicle structures, and fuels in near-realistic operational environments. By advancing system-level integration and demonstration, the program aims to enhance the performance and supportability of current and future aerospace platforms. It also seeks to reduce risk and transition time for new technologies and directly supports Department of Defense (DoD) priorities including nuclear deterrence and the sustainment of the U.S. rocket propulsion industrial base.

Missile Rocket Propulsion Integration & Demonstration focuses on developing and demonstrating innovative rocket propulsion technologies for both strategic and tactical missile systems. The project emphasizes environmental acceptability, affordability, manufacturability, reliability, and responsiveness, with particular attention to reducing weight and operational costs. Key objectives include rapid design and manufacturing of solid rocket motors, advanced propellants, and the use of digital engineering for modeling, simulation, and analysis of propulsion systems. Plans include continued development and testing of solid rocket motors, finalizing digital engineering architectures, and completing a pilot plant laboratory for local manufacturing. These efforts are reviewed annually by a DoD steering committee for mission relevance.

Next Gen Platform Development/Demonstration supports the nuclear enterprise by demonstrating advanced nuclear-related components and technologies. Efforts include the development, integration, and evaluation of fuzes, aeroshells, inertial guidance systems, and nuclear-specific communications in operationally relevant environments. Congressional adds funded initiatives such as digital engineering test beds, hybrid electric propulsion, autonomous air-to-air refueling, multi-sensor capabilities, alternative positioning/navigation/timing (PNT) for hypersonics, and reentry systems test beds. The Air Force Research Laboratory Space Vehicles Technology Directorate at Kirtland AFB leads these efforts, which are closely coordinated with other nuclear technology programs.

Flight Vehicle Technology Integration aims to enhance aerospace vehicle capabilities through the integration and demonstration of avionics, propulsion, and weapon systems. The current focus is on autonomous collaborative platform technologies, including affordable unmanned systems for sensor and non-kinetic weapon missions. Activities include ground and flight testing of unmanned platforms, integration of mission systems, and assessment of airworthiness and sensor payload configurations. Congressional funding supports the development of digital thread capabilities to improve design and operational efficiency.

Aircraft Propulsion Subsystems Integration is dedicated to advancing turbine engine technologies for improved reliability, durability, mission flexibility, and performance, while reducing weight, fuel consumption, and ownership costs. The project covers demonstrator engines for manned, unmanned, and munitions applications, with emphasis on integration of propulsion subsystems, airframe compatibility, and power/thermal management. Plans include continued development of engine technologies for unmanned aerial systems, embedded propulsion experiments, and military utility studies for autonomous vehicles. There is a shift toward system-level integration for accelerated capability development.

High Speed Systems Integration & Demonstration develops and integrates technologies for future high-speed and hypersonic weapons and platforms. The project leverages modeling, simulation, and digital engineering to mature propulsion systems, including scramjets and combined-cycle engines, airframe configurations, and thermal management solutions. Objectives include technology maturation for multi-mission hypersonic cruisers, conceptual design work for ISR and strike platforms, and propulsion integration for responsive strike capabilities. Increased emphasis is placed on operability across wide Mach ranges, robust flame-holding, and survivability in extended missions.

Flight Systems Control integrates and demonstrates advanced control, autonomy, and system management technologies for manned and unmanned aerospace systems. The project seeks to improve reliability, safety, and survivability through system-level integration of propulsion, airframes, avionics, power, thermal management, and operator interfaces. Activities include autonomy spiral demonstrations, contingency management development, and integration of power and thermal systems for high-power and high-speed aircraft. Congressional adds supported large-scale structural demonstrations using bonded unitized composites, further advancing the program's goals of affordable mass and revolutionary autonomous collaborative platform capabilities.