Tactical Technology

The Tactical Technology Program (PE 0602702E), managed by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), is focused on applied research to advance next-generation tactical systems across multiple domains. The goal of this program element is to develop and mature technologies that provide the U.S. military with decisive advantages in future operational environments. The program supports innovation in naval warfare, land systems, aeronautics and space, and information analytics, with an emphasis on transitioning DARPA-funded technologies into operational capabilities for national defense.

Naval Warfare Technology aims to expand operational capabilities across the maritime domain, including surface, subsurface, and the seabed. The program investigates advanced situational awareness over large maritime environments, novel underwater propulsion, high-speed underwater vessels, and improved underwater object detection. It also explores long-endurance unmanned surface vehicles, distributed maritime operations, and high-bandwidth communications. A key objective is to enable more agile, survivable, and cost-effective naval forces by developing technologies for autonomous operation, domain-specific warfare, and self-defense, as well as supporting operations in challenging environments such as the Arctic and seabed.

Advanced Land Systems Technology is focused on enhancing the effectiveness and survivability of U.S. ground forces against both traditional and irregular threats, including operations in subterranean and urban environments. Key goals include developing affordable technologies that reduce reliance on forward-operating bases and logistics lines, and providing small units with increased mobility and lethality. Major efforts include advancing AI-driven autonomy for unmanned ground vehicles and creating closed-loop energy systems for expeditionary operations. Additional research explores new concepts for situational awareness, autonomous systems integration, and in situ manufacturing of tactical munitions.

Aeronautics and Space Technology addresses opportunities to reduce costs and deliver revolutionary capabilities in air and space systems. This includes research into advanced propulsion, vehicle and launch concepts, novel materials, and sophisticated fabrication methods. Efforts focus on developing autonomy technologies for persistent target tracking using proliferated Low Earth Orbit satellite constellations, creating adaptable RF surveillance systems, enabling small unmanned aircraft to extend endurance using soaring techniques, and enabling persistent, low-altitude lunar resource mapping. Work also seeks to develop airborne energy relay nodes for distributed energy networks, while additional studies explore hybrid propulsion, advanced sensors, and resilient space operations.

Information Analytics Technology develops advanced analytics for processing and understanding data from intelligence networks, open sources, sensors, and weapon systems. The objectives are to enable rapid, scalable analysis of large, diverse, and incomplete datasets, and to counter adversary information operations. Efforts include developing tools for detecting and understanding influence campaigns, advancing persistent tracking of maritime and air targets using novel radar techniques, and creating analytics for supply chain risk management. Other research focuses on cross-cultural language understanding, semantic forensics for detecting media falsification, and advanced radar signal processing.

The Tactical Technology Program is structured to support robust transition planning and collaboration with entrepreneurs and industry, increasing the likelihood that DARPA-funded innovations are adopted within the U.S. defense enterprise. The program is responsive to emerging threats and operational needs, and is designed to provide the Department of Defense with new, cost-effective capabilities that enhance national security. Beginning in FY 2026, efforts under this program element will transition to PE 0602023E, Access and Awareness, reflecting an organizational shift to better align with evolving defense priorities.