Aerospace Propulsion
Abstract
This program investigates, develops, and analyzes aerospace system technologies for military applications that remove operational limitations and advance warfighter capabilities critical to the future threat. The specific areas of applied research are in: - Structures: Develops and exploits advanced aerodynamic vehicle configurations, new materials, fabrication processes, design techniques, and incorporates vehicle, inter-vehicle, and intra-vehicle control systems enabling advanced capabilities for the Air Force. - Flight Controls and Pilot-Vehicle Interface: Develops technologies that enable maximum affordable capability focusing on manned and autonomous collaborative platforms for military applications that remove operational limitations and enable advanced vehicle designs and mission systems. - High Speed Systems Technology: Develops high speed/hypersonic aerospace systems technologies to include advanced high temperature structures and advanced aerodynamic vehicle configurations enabling future high speed weapons and platforms; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems; and multi-domain vehicles. - Advanced Propulsion Technology: Develops high speed (to include hypersonic) aerospace vehicles as well as high-speed air breathing propulsion enabling revolutionary capabilities for near peer-to-peer competition. - Combustion and Mechanical Systems: Evaluates lubricants, for advanced turbine engines, and combined cycle engines with emphasis on low cost and high speed applications. - Turbine Engine Technology: Develops engine technology to address military specific needs for manned systems, autonomous collaborative platforms, and munition applications in various class sizes. - Aerospace Power Technology: Develops electrical and thermal control technologies for military applications that remove operational limitations enabling advanced vehicle designs and high-power mission systems. - Missile Rocket Propulsion: Develops rocket propulsion technologies for the design, development, and fabrication of strategic systems and tactical missiles enabling timely and affordable capacity. - Aerospace Fuel Technology: Evaluates fuels and related technologies to enable increased performance and affordability of high speed and munition capabilities. In FY 2025, the RDT&E Budget Activity 02 (BA02) Aerospace Vehicles Technologies efforts and activities under PE 0602201F, are transferred to PE 0602203F, Aerospace Propulsion for increased integration between airframe, flight control, propulsion, electrical, power and thermal management. In FY 2025, the entirety of PE 0602201F, Aerospace Vehicle Technologies, Project 622401 Structures, is transferred to PE 0602203F, Aerospace Propulsion, Project 622401 Structures. In FY 2025, the entirety of PE 0602201F, Aerospace Vehicle Technologies, Project 622404, Aeromechanics, is transferred to PE 0602203F, Aerospace Propulsion, Project 622401 Structures. In FY 2025, the entirety of PE 0602201F, Aerospace Vehicle Technologies, Project 622403, Flight Controls and Pilot-Vehicle Interface, is transferred to PE 0602203F,Aerospace Propulsion, Project 622403 Flight Controls and Pilot-Vehicle Interface. In FY 2025, the entirety of P E 0602201F, Aerospace Vehicle Technologies, Project 622405, High Speed Systems Technology, is transferred to PE 0602203F, Aerospace Propulsion, Project 622405 High Speed Systems Technology. Efforts in this program have been coordinated through the Department of Defense (DoD) Science and Technology (S&T) Executive Committee process to harmonize efforts and eliminate duplication. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver science & technology capabilities. The use of program funds in this program element would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program elements 0601102F, 0602020F, 0602102F, 0602201F,0602202F, 0602204F, 0602602F, 0602605F, 0602788F, 0602298F, and 1206601SF. This program element may include necessary expenses to support the operation and maintenance of facilities to manage, execute, and deliver science and technology capabilities. Funds in this program element may be used to investigate specified technology advancements in multiple domains. This program is in Budget Activity 2, Applied Research because this budget activity includes studies, investigations, and non-system specific technology efforts directed toward general military needs with a view toward developing and evaluating the feasibility and practicality of proposed solutions and determining their parameters.
Document Details
- Document Type
- R2 Budgetary Justification
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2025
- Source ID
- 0602203F_2_3600_PB_2025
- Change Summary Explanation
- FY 2025 funding increased compared to FY 2024 by $154.61 million. The increase is due to the transfer of PE 0602201F, Aerospace Vehicle Technology, efforts to PE 0602203F, Aerospace Propulsion.
- Service Agency Name
- Air Force
Entities
Organizations
- United States Air Force
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