Operational Energy and Installation Resilience

The Operational Energy and Installation Resilience program (PE 0604860F) is a Department of the Air Force (DAF) initiative focused on developing, maturing, prototyping, demonstrating, and assessing technologies, software, and processes to decrease operational energy risk and increase installation resilience. The overarching goal is to ensure energy availability and reliability across weapon systems, platforms, installations, and austere operating locations, thereby enhancing readiness and lethality. This program is managed under Budget Activity 4, Advanced Component Development & Prototypes (ACD&P), which emphasizes evaluation of integrated technologies and prototype systems in realistic operating environments.

Project 644861 is dedicated to optimizing energy usage to maximize combat capability for the Air Force, the largest consumer of operational energy in the Department of Defense. The project's objectives include reducing overall mission energy demand through prototyping and demonstrating technologies such as mission planning and scheduling optimization, mobility fleet optimization, aircraft drag reduction technologies, and energy supply chain and logistics improvements. Efforts involve software development to increase aircraft availability, optimize aircrew scheduling, and improve cargo load planning, as well as augmented reality training tools and advanced engine sustainment techniques. These activities are intended to expand readiness impacts and integrate energy logistics into both training and operations.

Project 644862 focuses on increasing the resilience of Air Force installations, which serve as critical power projection platforms. The project develops, prototypes, and demonstrates energy technologies and methodologies to ensure mission assurance and readiness. Key areas of activity include Advanced Nuclear solutions, Mission Resilience Digital Transformation, Resilient Energy Technology, Flightline Modernization, and Energy for the Tactical Edge. These efforts are designed to mitigate multi-domain energy threats, enhance infrastructure reliability, and integrate energy assurance and logistics into mission readiness.

In FY 2025, a restructuring occurred where efforts previously combined under Project 644860 were separated into Projects 644861 and 644862 to provide greater program visibility and accountability. Due to an administrative error, all FY 2025 funds were shown under Installation Resiliency, even though a portion was intended for Operational Energy activities. This error will be corrected in future budget submissions, but for FY 2025, documentation reflects Operational Energy activities as executed with Installation Resiliency funds.

The program's acquisition strategy leverages multiple contracting mechanisms, including Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)-based contracts and Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreements, to facilitate rapid development and integration of new technologies. Civilian pay expenses necessary for program management and execution are included, supplementing other program elements as required.

Planned accomplishments for Operational Energy in FY 2026 include continued software development for aircraft and aircrew optimization, expanded drag reduction technology demonstrations, and advanced engine sustainment. For Installation Resiliency, FY 2026 will see ongoing prototyping and demonstration of energy resilience technologies, with a focus on digital transformation, resilient energy solutions, and securing energy for tactical operations. The program aims to validate solutions in relevant environments and facilitate their implementation to improve Air Force capabilities.