Tech Transition Program

The Tech Transition Program (PE 0604858F) is an Air Force initiative within the Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) budget, specifically under Budget Activity 4: Advanced Component Development & Prototypes (ACD&P). The overarching goal of this program is to bridge the gap between initial technology or concept development and the successful acquisition and operational deployment of new warfighting capabilities. The program is designed to mature emerging technologies, rapidly develop fieldable prototypes, and conduct operational experimentation to assess the military utility of innovative concepts. It emphasizes close collaboration with operational stakeholders, including acquisition program managers, warfighters, Major and Field Commands, Program Executive Officers, and development planning organizations. This ensures that new capabilities are aligned with Air Force Future Force Design and the Department of Defense's Joint Warfighting Concept.

Tech Maturation and Risk Reduction/Development (Project 640410) is a new start in FY 2026, focusing on advancing counter-small Unmanned Aircraft System (C-sUAS) Low Collateral Defeat (LCD) capabilities. This project leverages the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) Replicator 2 Commercial Solutions Opening to competitively assess and onboard additional low-collateral defeat options for the Department of the Air Force. The goal is to deliver enhanced C-sUAS solutions capable of defeating advanced threats while minimizing collateral effects, particularly in environments where friendly forces or civilians are in close proximity. The project supports rapid prototyping and risk reduction, with emphasis on integrating novel effectors such as localized directed energy, low-collateral kinetic options, and capture/entanglement technologies.

Experimentation (Project 645350) funds campaigns to explore new operational concepts and technologies in system-of-systems contexts. These campaigns are aligned with Office of the Secretary of Defense and Department of the Air Force priorities, focusing on areas such as target custody, counter-targeting, autonomy, artificial intelligence, spectrum warfare, and agile combat operations. Experimentation activities include wargaming, simulation, field and flight testing, and digital engineering, aiming to validate the operational utility, affordability, and sustainability of new capabilities. Efforts include the Hawkeye Experimentation Campaign, which integrates joint-service kill chain capabilities, and support for USNORTHCOM's homeland defense modeling and experimentation. The project also addresses emerging requirements through rapid experimentation and includes Congressionally directed research in areas like hybrid electric rotorcraft and additive manufacturing.

Prototyping (Project 645351) enables the demonstration of emerging technologies in operational environments to determine their competitive advantage and integration pathways. The project's objectives are to advance legacy weapon system capabilities, militarize mature commercial technologies, and partner with Program Executive Officers for rapid technology transition. Key prototyping efforts include the Rapid Dragon palletized effects system, the System for Autonomous ISR support to dynamic Targeting, and the Modular Weapon Series Enterprise Test Vehicle for affordable mass munitions. The project also supports the Blended Wing Body next-generation aircraft, which aims to demonstrate significant aerodynamic efficiency improvements for both refueling and cargo missions, in partnership with NASA, the FAA, and industry stakeholders.

Architecture Design and Evaluation (Project 645352) is executed by the Department of the Air Force Program Executive Office for Command, Control, Communications, and Battle Management. This project consolidates architectural and systems engineering authority to ensure technical integration across the battle management and command and control enterprise, including the Advanced Battle Management System and Joint All-Domain Command and Control. The project supports digital engineering, model-based systems engineering, mission domain architectures, and operational response teams to facilitate rapid prototyping and integration of new capabilities. In FY 2026, funding is allocated to transition the System for Autonomous ISR support to dynamic Targeting and Hawkeye efforts into this architecture-focused project, supporting integration, operational testing, and the development of a cloud-based digital infrastructure for joint targeting and battle management.

The Tech Transition Program is justified by the need to accelerate the transition of high-impact warfighting capabilities, reduce acquisition risk, and ensure the Air Force maintains a technological edge in a rapidly evolving threat environment. The program's integrated approach spanning risk reduction, experimentation, prototyping, and architecture design enables the Air Force to assess, mature, and field advanced technologies more efficiently. The FY 2026 budget reflects a strategic realignment, with a focus on low-cost munitions and supply chain resilience, particularly through the Family of Affordable Mass Missiles initiative. The program also supports workforce optimization and cost efficiency in compliance with recent Executive Orders.