Air Platform Applied Research

PE 0602183A: Air Platform Applied Research is a key Army applied research program element supporting the modernization of Army Aviation, with particular emphasis on Future Vertical Lift (FVL) platforms. The overarching goal is to advance mid- to long-term technologies that improve survivability, agility, autonomy, and operational effectiveness in contested environments. Research efforts are coordinated with related Army and DoD programs, including Future Vertical Lift Technology and Air Platform Advanced Technology. These efforts are aligned with the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering's science and technology focus areas and the Army Modernization Strategy. CL5: Air Platform Enabling University Applied Research focuses on extramural research partnerships with universities to accelerate innovation in navigation, autonomous robotic vehicles, AI/ML for aerial mobility, survivability, teaming, and integrated mission systems. The project funds discovery research targeting both near-term and future Army priorities, including advanced VTOL design, flight dynamics, vibration and noise control, propulsion, and human factors. University teams are competitively selected and integrated into technical alliances, with the Army Research Laboratory (ARL) overseeing experimentation and transition of novel technologies to Army aviation. CL8: Aviation Teaming Autonomy Concepts & Technologies aims to develop multi-level simulations, physics-based models, and AI/ML algorithms for advanced teaming of heterogeneous unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in complex, peer-contested environments. The project validates collaborative and deceptive behaviors, multi-agent tactics, and adaptive learning methods to enhance mission resilience and scalability. Research includes field experiments with small UAS, integration of wind and terrain awareness, and persistent teaming approaches. Coordination occurs across Army research centers and realignment supports agile funding pilots. CN1: Disruptive Countermeasure Concepts for Aviation investigates advanced technologies to reduce FVL platform vulnerability to guided and unguided threats, including small arms, rockets, and missiles. Research areas include precision laser soft-kill countermeasures, ultrashort pulsed lasers, sensitive RF detection, and passive multi-modal sensors for threat localization and decoy discrimination. The project develops cognitive countermeasures, deep autonomous sensing algorithms, and low-SWAP sensor platforms, with collaboration between ARL and the Aviation and Missile Center (AvMC). CT5: Air Platform Applied Research (CA) includes congressional interest items such as manufacturing technology for reverse engineering and multispectral sensors for UAS. These efforts are intended to enhance Army aviation's ability to rapidly adapt and integrate new technologies, improve sensor capabilities, and support reverse engineering for sustainment and modernization. Funding supports applied research consistent with DoD priorities and Army modernization needs. CU7: Control & Autonomy for Tactical Superiority Tech develops and flight-validates advanced vehicle management, flight control, and autonomy technologies for FVL and other Army aviation systems. Key objectives include adaptive tactical autonomy, perception-enhanced autonomous control, and combat environment sustainment frameworks. Research encompasses real-time flight-dynamics modeling, sensor failure compensation, autonomous navigation, and integration of autonomy algorithms on UAVs and optionally piloted platforms. AvMC leads implementation and validation. CU8: Structures Tech for Enduring Efficient Resilience and CU9: Systems Design Technology address critical structural and design challenges for aviation platforms. CU8 focuses on developing multifunctional, fatigue-resistant, and damage-tolerant structures using advanced composites and manufacturing techniques. CU9 leverages large datasets, multi-disciplinary optimization, and machine learning to improve system design, analysis, and validation. Both projects support FVL mission performance goals, including range, payload, survivability, and operational availability, and transition technologies to advanced development and industry partners. CW3: Advanced Rotors Applied Technology and CW4: Air Vehicle Structures and Dynamics Tech investigate high-speed, efficient rotor and hub system designs, low noise and aeroelastic stability technologies, and advanced flight controls. CW3 develops automated rotor blade manufacturing processes. CW4 establishes modeling tools and experimental platforms for tiltrotor aeroelastic stability, quiet rotor concepts, and adaptive structures for small UAS. These efforts enable improved hover, cruise performance, and reduced acoustic signatures for next-generation platforms. CW5: Experimental and Computational Aeromechanics Tech advances high-fidelity computational methods and experimental techniques for rotorcraft aeromechanics. The project matures compound rotorcraft wing designs, hub drag reduction, and vibration measurement technologies, and validates computational models for FVL configurations. Research supports improved hover, forward flight performance, and vibration prediction, with increased funding for wind tunnel testing and hardware development. CW6: Future UAS Propulsion Technology and CW7: High Speed and Efficient VTOL Vehicle Tech focus on propulsion and power system innovations for unmanned and vertical lift platforms. CW6 develops multi-fuel capable hybrid electric propulsion for small engines, aiming for reduced fuel consumption, size, weight, and cost. CW7 establishes propulsion concepts for efficient VTOL, assesses novel engine and transmission designs, and investigates fault detection and acoustic emission characteristics to improve reliability and maintainability. CW8: Next Generation Aviation Transmission Applied Tech investigates advanced drivetrain technologies, such as high reduction ratio gearboxes, to increase performance and double drivetrain life cycles for manned and unmanned applications. The project explores advanced materials and component designs for significant weight and volume reduction, supporting extended range and reliability. DC2: High Performance Computing for Rotorcraft Applied Tech develops automated, high-fidelity computational tools for rotorcraft analysis and design, including GPU-enabled models and large eddy simulation capabilities. The project aims to reduce simulation times, improve efficiency on high-performance computing systems, and validate models for novel and existing FVL-relevant aircraft. DE2: Airborne Threat Defeat develops weapon, munition, and fire control system technologies to decoy or defeat guided aerial threats, increasing standoff distance and engagement time. Research includes combined electro-chemical-mechanical payloads, targeting concepts, and holistic defeat strategies. Ongoing investigation of system concepts for emerging threats and realignment of funding occurs as design and development stages are completed. DK1: Air Vehicle Integrated & Alternative Tech (AVIATe) enhances Army aviation mission capability by developing advanced engines, hybrid and electric systems, power and control allocation, and electric actuation technologies. The project includes hybrid-electric aviation technology trade studies, maturation of enabling technologies, and supplemental power efficient engines and drives to improve power-to-weight ratio and efficiency. Partnerships with industry are anticipated for specialized development and component testing, supporting FVL modernization and operational energy goals.