Future AF Capabilities Applied Research

Future AF Capabilities Applied Research is a program element managed by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) under Budget Activity 2: Applied Research. Its primary goal is to accelerate the technology pipeline for transformational Air Force capabilities by reducing risk and maturing technologies for transition into advanced development programs. The program supports multidisciplinary applied research efforts that address the Department of the Air Force's (DAF) highest priorities, focusing on enabling solutions for future operational needs. AFRL manages these funds at the enterprise level, ensuring collaboration across Technology Directorates and leveraging diverse expertise to develop disruptive capabilities.

Explore is a major line item within this program. The objective of Explore is to conduct early investments in high-priority areas, assessing feasibility and demonstrating proof of concepts to reduce risk and accelerate technology integration with the Future AF Integrated Technology Demo program. Explore uses a three-step process identification, investment, and maturation through feasibility studies and proof-of-concept activities lasting 12 to 24 months. The program targets technology areas such as intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), energy solutions for resilient basing, autonomous air-to-air refueling platforms, flightline support equipment, edge computing, electronic warfare, and high-speed affordable weapons. These investments are informed by horizon-scanning, concept decomposition, and competitive calls to innovators across industry, government, non-profits, and academia.

Seedlings for Disruptive Capabilities Program (SDCP) is another key component. SDCP integrates cross-enterprise, multi-directorate applied research to provide leap-ahead, high-risk, high-payoff technology development. The program advances innovative concepts for future operational capabilities and strengthens AFRL's research capacity through partnerships with academia, industry, and government labs. Objectives include continued research in distributed coherent radars for UAV swarms, affordable manufacturing of long-range weapons, wideband agile RF communications for high-altitude platforms, optical atomic clocks for advanced Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT), laser-resilient optical mirrors, high-voltage gallium oxide RF transistors, and passively augmented LIDAR for sensing in contested environments. New initiatives will focus on digitally programmable meta surfaces for resilient communications, enhanced navigation for collaborative autonomy, and next-generation laser-resilient mirrors for space domain awareness.

Data to Decisions and Collaborative Learning supports modeling, simulation, and analysis activities that validate the military utility of candidate transformational technologies. The program leverages advanced data analytics to connect warfighters with scientists and engineers, accelerating technology maturation and decision-making. Strategic enterprise-level activities include regional campus hubs, workforce development through internships and undergraduate research, and collaborative networks linking small businesses, academia, and industry. AFRL's TechConnect platform is a central tool, fostering connections between innovators and the Air Force/Space Force science and technology ecosystem, and enabling real-time feedback loops for technology development.

The program also includes funding for 27 direct Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) civilian positions. AFRL utilizes authorities under 10 USC 4091 to manage workforce strength, structure, and compensation, ensuring the necessary expertise is available to execute the program's research objectives. Civilian pay expenses are coordinated with related program elements to optimize resource allocation and workforce efficiency.

Budget adjustments for FY 2026 reflect a strategic realignment to optimize core research areas and improve efficiency. The request was reduced for Advisory and Assistance Services and for civilian personnel, in alignment with Executive Orders 14222 and 14210, which promote government efficiency and workforce optimization. These changes are intended to streamline operations and focus resources on the most impactful research initiatives.