Sustainment Science and Technology (S&T)

The Sustainment Science and Technology (S&T) program, managed by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), is a key element in the Department of the Air Force's (DAF) efforts to advance readiness technologies for both current and future Air and Space Force systems. This program is situated within the Advanced Technology Development budget activity, which focuses on the development and integration of subsystems and components into system prototypes for field experiments or simulated environment testing. The overarching goal of this program is to enhance the affordability, availability, and survivability of aerospace weapon systems. This increases lethality and mission readiness while reducing sustainment costs.

The primary objective of the program is to develop, mature, and transition advanced technologies that address key sustainment challenges. These include corrosion and erosion prevention, advanced maintenance and repair techniques, state awareness and non-destructive inspection, as well as health management and life prediction for critical systems. The program also conducts studies to identify cross-cutting applications for these technologies, ensuring that solutions can be applied across a broad range of fielded systems and incorporated into the design of future weapon systems.

Within this program, the Affordable Survivability Technologies effort is a major line item, previously known as Prevention/Enhanced Maintainability Technologies. Its focus is on developing and demonstrating affordable survivability solutions that reduce production and sustainment costs, while enabling advanced aircraft and weapon systems to maintain operational superiority in contested environments. Specific goals include rapid repair and materials development for aircraft battle damage repair, advanced canopy technology, and total body nondestructive evaluation systems for the inspection of advanced fighter aircraft.

In FY 2026, the Affordable Survivability Technologies effort will accelerate the development and transition of maintenance and sustainment technologies. These activities aim to improve component design, maintenance, repair, and replacement, as well as enhance maintainer training and extend part life. The program will also re-initiate and accelerate efforts to demonstrate high-reliability repair and maintenance technologies. It will develop materials and processes for use in austere environments and advance system fleet management decision-making tools and supply chain/infrastructure approaches to further reduce sustainment costs.

Another significant component was the Management/Improved Reliability Technologies line, which focused on developing and demonstrating technologies to improve the reliability of existing and new components, fleet management tools, and sustainment infrastructure. The objectives included providing prognostic capabilities for avionics components, extending engine component service life, and completing the development of fleet management decision-making tools and maintenance database technologies. These efforts were largely completed by FY 2025, with no new funding requested for FY 2026.

The justification for these investments lies in the need to maintain high mission readiness and capability while controlling and reducing the long-term costs associated with sustaining complex aerospace systems. By advancing technologies that extend service life, reduce maintenance burden, and enable rapid repair, the program supports the DAF's strategic priorities and ensures that the Air and Space Forces remain agile and effective in dynamic operational environments. The program also supports broader Department of Defense initiatives for efficiency and cost control, as reflected in recent budget adjustments and alignment with executive orders.