Air Platform Advanced Technology

PE 0603043A: Air Platform Advanced Technology is a key Army Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) program element focused on advancing technologies that support the Army Aviation portfolio, with particular emphasis on the Future Vertical Lift (FVL) modernization priority. The program aims to address mid- to long-term operational requirements in contested environments and to develop technologies with broad application across Army and Department of Defense (DoD) aviation needs. Research efforts are coordinated with related program elements, including Future Vertical Lift Technology and Advanced Technology. Work is conducted by the Army Research Laboratory (ARL), Aviation and Missile Center (AvMC), and the Information Technology Laboratory.

CL4: Air Platform Enabling University Advanced Development supports experimentation and demonstration of advanced technologies originating from academic research. The project focuses on navigation/routing, autonomous robotic vehicles, artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) for aerial mobility, survivability, teaming, integrated mission systems, and air-launched effects. Its objective is to mature and integrate these technologies to accelerate Army modernization in next-generation aerial vehicles. The project brings together university research teams in technical alliances and aims to transition novel technologies from academia to Army aviation, complementing other Army science and technology efforts.

CV1: Control & Autonomy for Tactical Superiority Advanced delivers advanced flight controls and autonomy technologies, including new handling qualities criteria, to increase technology readiness levels through realistic testing and demonstration. The project focuses on adaptive tactical autonomy and control, aiming to provide FVL aircraft with enhanced maneuverability, reduced pilot workload, improved survivability, and operation across a spectrum from piloted to fully autonomous modes. Planned activities include flight-test demonstrations, sensor failure compensation, integration of non-emitting sensors, and initiation of the Autonomy for Combat Environment Sustainment (ACES) Demo.

CV2: Structures Platform Integrated Resilience & Efficiency ensures a continuous stream of transition-ready advanced structures technologies to improve performance, survivability, and operational availability of Army aviation platforms. The project matures and demonstrates technologies for weight efficiency, multifunctionality, damage tolerance, and structural durability. Planned activities include integration and demonstration of lightweight, high-performance, and affordable air platform structures, with analysis and selective testing to support technology insertion for both manned and unmanned FVL platforms.

CX1: Advanced Rotors Advanced Technology investigates and matures advanced drivetrain and rotor system technologies for FVL and other Army aviation platforms. The project aims to improve drivetrain life cycles, reliability, and maintainability, while reducing maintenance requirements. Planned efforts include designing durable rotor blade prototypes and initiating full-scale demonstration of innovative rotor design methodologies. These activities leverage high-fidelity computational analysis, structural testing, and airworthiness processes to optimize performance in both hover and forward flight.

DC3: HPC for Army Aviation Concepts matures and demonstrates high-fidelity computational fluid dynamics and advanced modeling and simulation capabilities for FVL platforms. The project leverages DoD High-Performance Computing (HPC) resources and develops machine-assisted design algorithms, web-delivered computational environments, data curation resources, and advanced simulation techniques. Planned activities include demonstrating machine learning techniques to reduce simulation time, developing HPC-enabled environments for design exploration, and integrating multi-disciplinary analysis for rotorcraft components.

DK2: Air Vehicle Improvement & Advanced Technology (AVIATe) enhances Army aviation mission capability by addressing operational energy and environmental challenges. The project matures and demonstrates technologies such as advanced engines, hybrid and electric systems, power delivery, electric actuation, and structures at the aircraft system level. Planned activities include partnerships with industry to demonstrate hybrid-electric VTOL aircraft, with initial efforts focused on design, risk mitigation, and system-level technology demonstrations to inform future transition into the Army aviation fleet.