Unmanned Aerial Systems Launched Effects Applied Research

The Unmanned Aerial Systems Launched Effects Applied Research program (PE 0602345A) is a U.S. Army research initiative focused on advancing technologies for uncrewed air vehicles and their mission systems. The primary objective of this program is to modernize unmanned aerial systems (UAS) to enhance their effectiveness in combat and support roles, including attack, reconnaissance, air assault, survivability, logistics, and command and control missions. The program supports the Army's broader Science and Technology (S&T) air systems portfolio and aligns with the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering's modernization priorities.

A41: Advanced Teaming for Tactical Aviation Operations Technology is a major line item within this program. The goal of this project is to develop subsystem and component-level technologies that enable advanced teaming behaviors among mixed formations of manned and unmanned platforms in combined arms operations. Key research areas include resilient autonomy algorithms, team-based communications, situational awareness management, decision aids for weapons engagement, autonomous terrain and collision avoidance, and human-autonomy interface design. The work is primarily conducted by the Aviation & Missile Center (AvMC) and the C5ISR Center.

Within A41, specific efforts include the development of technologies for UAS team-of-teams operations in contested environments, focusing on robust communications, tactical navigation, and adaptive mission planning. Another focus is the delivery of affordable, low size, weight, and power (SWaP) electro-optic infrared payloads for attritable UAS, enhancing their intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. These efforts are designed to improve the integration of government-owned optical designs into commercial payloads, ensuring mission flexibility and effectiveness.

A42: Air Launched Effects Technology is dedicated to analytic modeling and technology development for launching UAS from both air and ground platforms. This project investigates the operational and design impacts of new unmanned system capabilities, including the ability to launch and control UAS from tactical altitudes and various platforms. It also focuses on payload development for reconnaissance, targeting, communications, and decoy missions. Configuration trade studies and modular air vehicle concepts are developed to support operations in complex, contested environments, informing future system specifications and Army investment strategies.

A43: Aviation Teaming Autonomy Concepts & Technologies supports agile research in multi-level simulations, physics-based models, and artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) to advance heterogeneous teaming concepts for UAS in peer-contested environments. This project is carried out by the Army Research Laboratory (ARL) and aims to enable deep sensing, complex mobility, and adaptive behaviors for UAS teams. The research supports strategic maneuvering, targeting, and long-range precision navigation in adversarial settings.

Within A43, research focuses on developing AI algorithms for adaptive team composition, robust shared situational awareness, and resilient mission execution. Additional efforts are aimed at equipping UAS platforms with advanced maneuver capabilities, endurance, and collaborative precision action. This includes research into lightweight, low-cost components and multi-agent coordination for long-range missions and precision effects.