Autonomous Collaborative Technologies

Abstract

Autonomous Collaborative Technologies (ACT) are uncrewed weapon systems primarily focused on projecting air power against adversaries. These new uncrewed air combat vehicles are designed to work in conjunction with current and future aircraft to provide operational flexibility, as directed by Department of the Air Force leadership. The program matures technology from the Science and Technology (S&T) Skyborg Vanguard program to reduce risk through development, integration and test activities, delivering rapid capabilities to warfighters. ACT served as the starting point for the Air Force's investment in Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA). Key Autonomous Collaborative Platform (ACP) attributes include tailored cost of platforms, rapidly updateable software, autonomy, interoperability with multiple platforms and network capabilities, agility of use, lethality, and ability to penetrate challenging air environments. Program activities include the employment of digital acquisitions through the application of digital engineering, agile software development, and open systems architectures. Funding provides program management support, operational concept exploration, technology studies, multi-domain integration assessments, operational and system architecture development, maturation and risk reduction of air superiority related technologies including weapons systems and integrated system concept development and demonstration. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver weapon system capability. The use of such program funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program element 0605827F, 0605828F, 0605829F, 0605831F, 0605832F, 0605833F, 0605898F, 0606398F. In FY2023, 1.692M was expended for civilian pay expenses in this program element. In FY2024, 0.0M is forecasted for civilian pay expenses in this program element.

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Document Details

Document Type
Project
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2025
Source ID
647123_0207179F_4_3600_PB_2025

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Computer science
  • Engineering

Readers

  • Civilian Systems Systems Program Capability Development and Upgrade Support Activity Expense and Pay Management.
  • Military Science and Technology Research and Modernization.
  • Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Autonomous Capabilities and Mission Reconnaissance.

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