Air and Missile Defense Technology

The Air and Missile Defense Technology program (PE 0602150A) is a key Army research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) initiative focused on advancing technologies to protect ground forces and critical assets from aerial, missile, and surveillance threats. The program's overarching goals are to investigate and develop capabilities in missiles, directed energy, gun-based air defense, and battlefield sensors. These efforts support the Army Modernization Strategy and the priorities of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering. Research is primarily conducted by the U.S. Army Aviation and Missiles Center (AvMC), with additional contributions from other Army technical centers and laboratories.

AE2: Unconventional Countermeasures-Survivability Tech aims to enhance the survivability of Army assets against advanced surveillance and targeting systems. The project develops materials and computational methods for signature management and unconventional countermeasures, including high-fidelity modeling and simulation tools for rapid prototyping. In FY 2026, efforts will focus on expanding spectral sensing capabilities and investigating protection strategies for logistical supply nodes against emerging AI/ML and asymmetric threats. Research is performed by the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory.

BN6: Advanced Weapons Components (CA) receives Congressional Interest Item funding to support the development of advanced weapon components, particularly for High Energy Laser (HEL) systems. Key objectives include optimizing fiber laser systems, maturing direct diode laser technologies, and developing supporting infrastructure such as beam control systems and optical fiber fabrication. Additional Congressional adds in FY 2024 and FY 2025 support research in areas like unexploded ordnance detection, missile risk-based mission assurance, and counter-UAS centers of excellence.

CV7: High Energy Laser Direct Diode Applied Technology focuses on designing and developing single mode diode emitters with high electrical-to-optical efficiency for use in HEL weapon systems. The project leverages industry and National Labs research to overcome semiconductor gain limitations and improve the size, weight, and power (SWaP) of laser subsystems. FY 2026 plans include finalizing the design and demonstration of spectral beam combiner laser arrays, informing future Army directed energy prototyping efforts.

CV8: Vulnerability Modules for Multi-Domain Operations develops HEL Vulnerability Modules and engagement tactics data for targeting unmanned aerial systems, cruise missiles, and rotary wing threats. The project aims to enable real-time threat detection and optimized aimpoint selection, increasing HEL weapon system lethality. FY 2026 activities will mature vulnerability modules for various threat groups and integrate weapon performance prediction for improved lethality and range.

DA9: Radar Survivability through Distributed Sensing Technology investigates radar enhancements to protect Army forces from advanced air and missile threats. Objectives include developing electronic protection techniques, multi-static radar operations, adaptive digital beam forming, and multi-modal tracking for emerging threats like swarms and guided munitions. FY 2026 will complete modeling and simulation efforts, with a funding decrease reflecting realignment to other electronic warfare applied research programs.

DC1: Next Generation Directed Energy Concept Development & Analysis supports foundational research in directed energy technologies, including lethality effectiveness, adaptive optics, beam control, and laser sources. The project develops physics-based models and concept architectures for improved layered defense capabilities against evolving threats. FY 2026 will continue research into pulsed lasers and advanced HEL system effectiveness, informing future technical strategies and funding requirements.

DE3: Advanced Beam Control Component Development for Counter-Cruise Missile develops advanced beam control technologies such as sensors, illuminators, deformable mirrors, and wavefront sensors. The project aims to extend the effective range of HEL weapon systems for multi-domain missions, including counter-cruise missile operations. FY 2026 will focus on maturing component-level concepts, stabilizing large-aperture beam expanders, and optimizing adaptive optics and tracking algorithms.

HP1: High Power Microwave Technology is a new start in FY 2026, aiming to design and develop HPM vulnerability data, engagement tactics, and kill signatures for targeting unmanned aerial systems, cruise missiles, and precision guided munitions. The project will also develop Army-specific HPM components such as antennas and sources, with initial efforts establishing baseline procedures for testing RF components.

SU1: Counter Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-sUAS) Technology investigates and develops kinetic missile interceptor capabilities to defeat Group 3 small UAS threats. Objectives include increasing range, reducing reaction time, improving lethality, and enhancing reliability for both fixed and mobile configurations. FY 2025 efforts focus on developing small form factor missile components and seeker technologies, with a funding decrease in FY 2026 due to realignment under the Department of Defense Capability Based (Agile) Funding pilot.