Making, Maintaining, Supply Chain and Logistics

The PE 0602025E: MAKING, MAINTAINING, SUPPLY CHAIN and LOGISTICS program, managed by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), is a comprehensive applied research initiative focused on strengthening the technical foundations of the defense supply chain and associated logistics. Its overarching goal is to foster innovation in materials, electronics, quantum technologies, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and logistics management to ensure a resilient, responsive, and technologically superior supply chain for national defense. This program consolidates and expands upon prior efforts previously funded under separate DARPA program elements, reflecting a strategic realignment and increased investment in FY 2026.

Quantum Technologies aims to advance quantum computing, networking, and sensing capabilities for defense applications. The Quantum Benchmarking Initiative evaluates commercial quantum computing developments to mitigate strategic surprise and maximize U.S. economic benefits. Other efforts focus on developing quantum-enabled receivers, transmitters, and sensors for deployment on DoD platforms. Additional projects seek to enhance network security by integrating quantum properties into classical communications and to develop tactical-grade clocks to reduce GPS dependence. These efforts collectively support the development, validation, and integration of quantum technologies into defense systems.

Materials Processing Technology is dedicated to creating novel materials and manufacturing techniques that enable new missions and improve the performance of military platforms. Key thrusts include developing materials for extreme environments, functional materials for sensing and imaging, and scalable methods for solid rocket motor production. Additional projects address unattended ground sensor deployment, chemical processing for force protection, reconfigurable systems for autonomous adaptation, and enabling production technologies for expeditionary manufacturing. The program also investigates advanced modeling, disruptive sensing, and the use of local feedstocks to untether forces from traditional supply chains.

Disruptive Microtechnologies focuses on next-generation microelectronics, including photonics, quantum-inspired computing, and advanced manufacturing. Programs in this area develop tools for vulnerability detection in cyber-physical systems and address design and thermal management challenges in three-dimensional heterogeneous integration. Other initiatives include ultra-wide bandgap semiconductors, optomechanical thermal imaging, advanced RF emulation, and additive manufacturing of microsystems. The program also supports studies to ensure a sustainable domestic supply chain for advanced microsystems and explores quantum-inspired algorithms for mission-scale optimization.

Electronic Technology supports the development of advanced materials, devices, and architectures to dramatically improve electronic systems. Emphasis is placed on fabrication, testing, and recycling technologies, with projects exploring microsystem control of biological function, advancing vibratory sensors for GPS-denied environments, and enabling analog neural network inferencing at the edge. Additional efforts include novel radar architectures and studies of organic-electronic hybrid circuits, photonic components, and MEMS for applications beyond traditional electronics.

Cyber Security develops technologies to protect DoD, government, and civilian information systems against evolving cyber threats. The program delivers operational cyber capabilities through rapid prototyping and integration, and focuses on formal methods for software assurance and resilient hidden communications. Other efforts train AI agents for network defense, automate vulnerability assessment, and secure business logic in logistics workflows. Additional initiatives address toolchain hardening, bus-based system resilience, and applied research in AI-driven cybersecurity, formal verification, and legacy system modernization.

Artificial Intelligence and Human-Machine Symbiosis advances AI technologies for trustworthy human-machine teaming and autonomous decision-making. Programs address geoeconomic mechanisms and supply chain resilience using AI-driven modeling and forecasting. Other projects develop theory-of-mind and autonomy transfer techniques, and focus on AI robustness and quantification. Additional efforts include anti-money laundering analytics, introspective control, assured neuro-symbolic reasoning, scientific feasibility assessment, and automated cyber vulnerability remediation. Studies in this area aim to accelerate AI innovation for defense, emphasizing reliability, explainability, and resilience.

Making, Maintaining, Supply Chain and Logistics Support provides essential management and operational support for the entire program element. This includes network and equipment support, contractor and program security, outreach to academia and industry, transition services to promote U.S. commercialization of DARPA-funded technologies, and administrative functions. These support activities are allocated proportionally across DARPA's research programs and are vital for sustaining the agency's applied research efforts in supply chain and logistics innovation.