Predictive cost adaptive control of autonomous flight vehicles

The Naval Air Warfare Center, under the Basic and Applied Scientific Research program (CFDA 12.300), awarded a Cooperative Agreement to the Regents of the University of Michigan totaling $185,000 in obligated funds, with an exercise option of $120,000 for the second contract line item (CLIN 0002). The award, dated September 30, 2025, with completion targeted for September 30, 2026, funds research on "Predictive Cost Adaptive Control of Autonomous Flight Vehicles." This research addresses the Office of Naval Research's mission to develop advanced technology and capabilities for naval operations by exploring control methodologies applicable to autonomous aerial systems relevant to naval mission requirements.

The University of Michigan's Office of Research and Sponsored Projects, as a leading research institution with substantial experience in defense-related scientific innovation, will conduct the research at its facilities in Michigan. The project represents a competitive, merit-based award under ONR's Basic and Applied Scientific Research program, which supports fundamental and applied research with potential naval applications across multiple scientific and engineering disciplines. The cooperative agreement structure indicates collaborative involvement between the University and the federal agency in achieving research objectives related to autonomous flight vehicle systems and their operational control strategies.