NATO Research and Development

The NATO Research and Development (PE 0603790A) program is a U.S. Army initiative designed to implement Title 10 U.S. Code, Section 2350a, which authorizes cooperative research and development projects with allied countries. The primary objective is to enhance conventional defense capabilities for both the United States and its partners including NATO members, major non-NATO allies, and friendly foreign nations by leveraging emerging technologies, sharing technical expertise, and jointly developing equipment. These efforts aim to reduce U.S. acquisition costs, increase multinational force compatibility, and improve interoperability through the development and use of similar equipment and standardized interfaces. The program is managed through international agreements that define the scope, cost, work sharing, management, contracting, security, and data protection arrangements. U.S. funds support only the domestic share of work performed at government and contractor facilities.

Armaments Cooperation Enterprise Support focuses on expanding allied standardization and interoperability through cooperative research and development, technology sharing, and international engagement. The program funds travel, administrative support, studies, analysis, and equipment necessary for U.S. participation in forums such as the NATO Army Armaments Group (NAAG) and Defense Against Terrorism (DAT) initiatives. It also supports new cooperative R&D initiatives and international agreements, including memoranda of understanding. In FY 2025 and FY 2026, the program supports nine contractor manpower equivalents (CMEs) specializing in munitions, weapons, aviation, and armaments. Funding is planned to increase due to economic assumptions and continued support for these roles.

Communications, Interoperability, and Electronics Technologies aims to develop technologies that enable interoperability among partner nations' command, control, communications, sensors, and information systems. The program seeks to avoid duplicative solutions by leveraging existing NATO interoperability standards, including common doctrine, technical specifications, and procedural guidelines. Efforts include projects formerly titled Multi-National Network Enabled Capabilities, Low Level Air Defense Interoperability, Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS), Combat Identification, and the Multilateral Interoperability Program. The goal is to improve shared data usage, enhance national operating picture capabilities, and enable secure, interoperable networks and databases across coalition partners.

Senior National Representatives (Army) (SNR-(A)) projects support harmonization of programs with key partners such as France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Italy. Activities include information exchange, identifying knowledge gaps, conducting feasibility studies, and standardizing processes to promote cooperative development. Technology demonstrations hosted by U.S. representatives to NAAG Land Group 6 provide opportunities to observe and showcase current and future capabilities, facilitating operational and materiel interoperability. Funding in FY 2025 and FY 2026 is directed toward forums and engagement with longstanding partners to address interoperability gaps and develop standardization programs.

Weapons and Munitions Technologies is dedicated to joint development with partner countries to improve the range, payload, speed, survivability, and lethality of Army weapons systems and munitions. Areas of cooperation include fuzing and warhead systems, guidance systems, counter-improvised explosive device neutralization, directed energy, and fire control systems. The program aims to ensure mutual fire support capabilities in combined operations, enabling rapid and accurate delivery of cannon and rocket fire among coalition forces. Funding changes reflect the planned lifecycle and ongoing evolution of these cooperative efforts.

Ground Systems Technologies supports joint development of technologies to enhance survivability, weapons, ground platforms (both manned and unmanned), mobility, and counter-mobility for military vehicles. Cooperative areas include ground system design, propulsion, structures, robotics, alternative fuels, systems integration, electronics, and power management. Projects such as armored vehicle underbody blast protection and unmanned ground vehicles, including the Hybrid Electric Project Agreement with Japan, are funded to improve both offensive and defensive capabilities for soldiers. Increased funding in FY 2026 is attributed to economic assumptions and the continued emphasis on interoperability.

Aviation Systems Technologies seeks to improve interoperability and jointly develop advanced aerodynamics, aeromechanics, avionics, weapons and sensor integration, propulsion, and aviation autonomy technologies for vertical lift aviation systems. The objective is to maintain U.S. technical superiority and combat overmatch through cooperative projects such as advanced rotorcraft technologies and systems that aid pilots and aircrew in degraded visual environments. Funding supports ongoing collaboration under international agreements, with adjustments reflecting the planned lifecycle of these efforts.