FY2026 DoD Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation Budget Analysis
The U.S. defense technology race is accelerating. The Department of Defense has requested $179 billion for Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation in FY2026, marking a major increase in investment aimed at maintaining technological advantage against near-peer competitors.
This report provides a clear breakdown of where those dollars are going and what they mean for industry, investors, and government stakeholders. It examines the structure of the FY2026 request, highlights the programs receiving the largest funding increases, and explains how the Department is shifting resources toward technologies that can reach the field faster.
The analysis focuses on the signals that matter most. Which services are gaining the largest share of R&D funding. Which technology domains are accelerating. Where execution risk may emerge inside the defense industrial base.
For companies working in aerospace, defense technology, or dual-use innovation, this report helps translate
