Advanced Technology and Sensors

Abstract

The Advanced Technology and Sensors (ATS) program coordinates the development of platform-agile advanced technologies (sensors, low-cost, low-SWAP attritable ISR sensors, data links, targeting support, and quick reaction capabilities) in support of High-Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) platforms, manned and unmanned airborne reconnaissance platforms, Autonomous Collaborative Platforms, and Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA). Its objectives are to develop, demonstrate, and rapidly transition advanced, interoperable, multi-platform solutions to reduce the find, fix, target, and track kill chain timeline. This program coordinates the development of common collection, processing, and dissemination solutions for near-real time intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. The ATS program also increases interoperability by developing common standards and interfaces. Imaging & Targeting Support (I&TS) funds in this program are distributed in priority order for the goal of building a comprehensive Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) capability for the USAF. On an annual basis, developmental technologies are reviewed against warfighter capabilities and requirements based on strategic roadmaps and on the results of the Airborne Sensors for ISR Analysis of Alternatives, as prefaced in the Challenging Targets Initial Capabilities Document. Efforts advancing the technological maturity of promising sensors and processing capabilities are reviewed and prioritized into a recommended list for senior executive direction to implement in the coming year. The program office has the ability to rapidly initiate an I&TS project in order to expedite development and acquisition of urgently needed capabilities for the warfighter. Next Generation Sensors Risk Reduction (NGS-RR) is a platform-agile suite of sensor technologies defined for the best flexibility and capability for an ever-changing scale of ISR missions. NGS-RR will further technology maturation and risk reduction of selected technologies initiated under I&TS culminating in an operational prototype demonstration. Execution of the NGS-RR activities is founded upon three pillars: Open Standards, Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML) algorithms, and Advanced Platform-Agile Sensors. The power behind the NGS-RR program is an open architectural system design that enables rapid third-party software and line replaceable unit insertion/replacement allowing for DevSecOps execution, onboard multi-modal and multi-INT processing real-time, sensor cross-cueing, and AI/ML application. The AI/ML algorithms will be used to enable assisted target detection and identification. NGS-RR will anticipate and more quickly counter adversaries' future improvements in their abilities to hide from and defeat ISR sensors. NGS-RR efforts include but are not limited to: Advanced Platform-Agile Sensors, Assisted Target Recognition for ISR (ATRI), and Digital Engineering (DE), to include Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE). The open standards pillar of next generation capabilities is supported through Sensors Open Systems Architecture (SOSA) which coordinates advanced technologies and open architecture development for multi-INT sensor modalities. Consistent with the NDS, algorithms are multi-INT sensor agile that are submitted for formal adoption by the DOD-Intelligence Community (IC), Joint Enterprise Standards Committee (JESC), GEOINT and SIGINT standards groups. The platform agile sensors pillar of next-generation capabilities will be supported by developing scalable sensors using both off-the-shelf and emerging sensors suites from the labs, industry, and other Government agencies. ATS program funds are distributed to projects based on the development priorities established by the USAF GEOINT Capabilities Working Group (GCWG), which is chartered to guide the ATS capability investment. When required, the USAF may move funds between ATS projects, developing the highest priority projects in response to urgent (e.g., JUON) and emerging (e.g., JEON) warfighter needs. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver weapon system capability. The use of such programs funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program element 0605827F, 0605828F, 0605829F, 0605831F, 0605832F, 0605833F, 0605898F, 0606398F. In FY23 $0.0M was expended for civilian pay expenses in this program element, and in FY24 $0.0M is forecasted for civilian pay expenses in this program element.” This effort is in Budget Activity 4, Advanced Component Development and Prototypes (ACD&P), because efforts are necessary to evaluate integrated technologies, representative modes or prototype systems in a high fidelity and realistic operating environment.

Document Details

• Document Type: R2 Budgetary Justification
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2025
• Source ID: 0604257F_4_3600_PB_2025
• Service Agency Name: Air Force

Entities

Organizations

• United States Air Force

Tags

Fields of Study

• Engineering

Readers

• Civilian Systems Systems Program Capability Development and Upgrade Support Activity Expense and Pay Management.
• Enterprise Information Systems Architecture and Joint Command Capability Interoperability Support.
• Sensor Fusion and Tracking Systems.

Technology Areas

• AI & ML
• AI & ML - Autonomous Systems
• AI & ML - DoD AI Strategy
• Autonomy
• Autonomy - UAVs