Defense Research Sciences

The Defense Research Sciences program is the Army's primary basic research line, supporting the development of foundational scientific knowledge to sustain U.S. Army technological superiority in land warfare. The program's objectives are to investigate new scientific concepts and technologies for the Army's future force, address long-term national security needs, and exploit scientific breakthroughs while avoiding technological surprises. This program element funds a diverse portfolio of research efforts, both in-house at Army laboratories and extramurally through universities and industry, with a focus on areas where commercial investment is limited, such as vaccines for tropical diseases, lightweight armor, and energetic materials.

In-House Laboratory Independent Research (ILIR) AMC (AA1) supports basic research at Army Futures Command laboratories, providing laboratory directors with flexibility to pursue novel research ideas and foster young scientific talent. The ILIR program funds projects in chemical materials, structural materials, advanced mobility, functional materials, optical electronics, communications and cyber, and aeromechanics. These efforts target fundamental research in areas such as biomanufacturing, metamaterials, energetic materials, autonomous mobility, and advanced signal processing, all aimed at addressing technical gaps relevant to Army modernization priorities.

ILIR SMDC (AA2) focuses on basic research at the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command Technical Center, particularly in directed energy systems. The objectives include understanding nonlinear optical phenomena in fiber amplifiers, suppression of nonlinear effects, and development of beam control concepts for high-energy laser weapons. The research lays the groundwork for future applied research in directed energy weapon systems, with an emphasis on experimental measurements and modeling to inform system design and optimization.

Single Investigator Basic Research (AA3) is the Army's primary extramural basic research effort, supporting grants and contracts with universities and research institutions nationwide. The goals are to foster scientific discovery and technology breakthroughs in fields critical to future Army needs, including life sciences, chemical sciences, physics, electronics, materials, mechanical sciences, computing, network sciences, mathematics, and quantum information. This line also supports research at Historically Black Colleges and Universities/Minority Institutions (HBCU/MI), early career awards, and the Minerva Research Initiative for social science research relevant to national security.

Training and Human Science Research (AA4) aims to improve Soldier-system performance by studying human integration with intelligent technologies and autonomous agents. Research topics include translational neuroscience, human-system integration, adaptive technologies, joint human-intelligent agent decision making, psychometrics, organizational dynamics, and learning models. The objective is to develop foundational knowledge and tools to enhance Soldier performance, resilience, and adaptability in complex operational environments, supporting the Army People Strategy and modernization goals.

Biotechnology and Systems Biology (AA5) conducts research on biological systems and engineered materials to enable transformational Army capabilities. Key objectives include developing materials from biology, understanding biological/abiological interfaces, advancing synthetic biology for dynamic materials, and investigating energy field effects on biological systems. These efforts are intended to reduce logistical burdens, improve protection, and enable advanced sensing and manufacturing capabilities for the Army.

Robotics and Mobile Energy (AA6) supports basic research in propulsion, platform mechanics, and autonomous systems for air and ground vehicles. The program investigates risk-based design, control algorithms, artificial intelligence, alternative energy systems, and advanced mobility concepts. Research aims to improve power density, energy efficiency, reliability, and survivability of future Army platforms, as well as to develop resilient multi-agent autonomy and intelligent teaming between humans and robots.

Mechanics and Ballistics (AA7) funds research in materials and ballistic science to develop lighter, higher-performing, and cost-effective materials for armor and armaments, as well as to understand the physics of projectile launch, flight, and impact. The objectives include creating new energetic materials, improving protection mechanisms, developing advanced computational models, and exploring environmentally friendly technologies. The research supports the development of next-generation combat vehicles, soldier lethality, and long-range precision fires.

Sensing and Electromagnetics (AA8) focuses on semiconductor materials, novel devices, and advanced sensing technologies for Army applications such as power, communications, quantum networks, and unattended sensor networks. Research includes modeling, fabrication, and characterization of materials and devices, as well as machine learning for physical systems and distributed sensing. Funding reflects a realignment to other electronic warfare research elements, with a continued focus on emergent quantum and bio-inspired materials.

Information and Networking (AA9) supports research to enable intelligent, robust, and survivable command, control, communications, computing, and intelligence (C4I) systems. Key goals include developing resilient mobile networks, advanced computing architectures, information assurance, machine learning for decision support, and quantum information science. The program addresses vulnerabilities in dynamic, adversarial environments and supports the Army's need for rapid, reliable information flow and decision-making in dispersed operations.

Other notable lines include basic research in infectious diseases, operational medicine, and combat care, which addresses military medical challenges such as injury prevention, physiological health, and environmental health. Additional areas include protection, maneuver, geospatial, and natural sciences, which advance science in military engineering, biosciences, and geospatial analysis. Advancing concepts and technology forecasting integrates emerging scientific research with Army warfighting concepts and provides technology forecasts to inform strategic decisions. Congressional interest items in FY24 provided additional funding for crystalline porous materials, joint research laboratories, quantum computing, and unmanned aerial systems propulsion.