| Uncrewed systemsVehicles that operate without a crew on board, remotely piloted or autonomous. | 2 | 5 | Maturity of entries: 2 fielded, 1 limited fielding, 2 prototype, 2 development2122·· | 810 | 10 | 2 |
| Space, launch and counterspaceMilitary use of space: sensing, communications, and protecting or attacking satellites. | 9 | 3 | Maturity of entries: 2 fielded, 2 prototype, 1 development2·21·· | 558 | 5 | 0 |
| Information management and cybersecurityTechnologies for organizing and using information while protecting data, networks, and connected systems against compromise. | 8 | 0 | None rated | 418 | 1 | 0 |
| Advanced manufacturing and materialsProduction methods and engineered materials that improve how components are designed, made, and brought into use, from automated factories to lightweight structures. | 7 | 0 | None rated | 310 | 0 | 0 |
| ISR and targetingIntelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and turning it into targeting data. | 1 | 1 | Maturity of entries: 1 fielded, 1 prototype1·1··· | 306 | 1 | 0 |
| Strike and munitionsWeapons that deliver effects on targets: missiles, guided munitions, one-way attack drones. | 2 | 5 | Maturity of entries: 3 fielded, 1 prototype, 2 development3·12·· | 295 | 15 | 4 |
| Military AI and autonomySoftware that lets machines perceive, navigate and decide, and that supports human decisions. | 15 | 3 | Maturity of entries: 4 limited fielding, 2 prototype·42··· | 290 | 9 | 5 |
| Command, control and communicationsSoftware and networks that connect sensors, shooters and decision-makers. | 10 | 7 | Maturity of entries: 6 fielded, 1 limited fielding, 3 prototype613··· | 275 | 11 | 6 |
| Aircraft and aeronauticsResearch and experimental testing of atmospheric flight, aircraft systems and aerodynamic performance. | 0 | 0 | None rated | 263 | 0 | 0 |
| Defense services and supportEngineering, IT, training, health care, construction and operations services delivered to defense and security customers. | 0 | 0 | None rated | 258 | 0 | 0 |
| Air and missile defenseDetecting, tracking and defeating aircraft, drones, rockets and missiles. | 2 | 6 | Maturity of entries: 2 fielded, 3 limited fielding, 1 prototype, 2 development2312·· | 247 | 16 | 5 |
| Power, grids and energy storageResearch on coordinated local power systems, distributed energy resources and grid integration. A research association does not establish a tactical military application. | 0 | 0 | None rated | 219 | 0 | 0 |
| Logistics and sustainmentMoving, supplying, powering and maintaining forces. | 5 | 11 | Maturity of entries: 4 fielded, 3 limited fielding, 6 prototype, 2 development4362·· | 209 | 14 | 8 |
| Nuclear energy and propulsionFission and fusion power, nuclear propulsion and the fuel supply chain behind them, for installations, ships, spacecraft and the grid. | 7 | 10 | Maturity of entries: 6 fielded, 3 limited fielding, 2 prototype, 4 development6324·· | 202 | 76 | 0 |
| Sensing and signature managementTechnologies for detecting and characterizing objects, activity, and threats, and managing how systems are detected. This area includes advanced sensors, combining data from multiple sensors, adaptive optics, and detection of hazardous chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear materials. | 4 | 0 | None rated | 191 | 0 | 0 |
| Ground vehicles and soldier systemsCombat and tactical vehicles, small arms, and the protective and wearable equipment soldiers carry. | 0 | 0 | None rated | 183 | 0 | 0 |
| Naval vessels and shipbuildingSurface ships, submarines and the shipyards, propulsion and maritime systems that build and sustain them. | 0 | 0 | None rated | 111 | 0 | 0 |
| Semiconductors and microelectronicsMiniaturized electronic components and integrated circuits that sense, process, store, and communicate information. | 8 | 0 | None rated | 99 | 0 | 0 |
| Positioning, navigation, timing and spectrum resilienceMethods for determining location, maintaining a course, and providing accurate time references for coordinated systems. | 4 | 0 | None rated | 82 | 1 | 0 |
| CBRN defense and security screeningDefense against chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats. | 1 | 2 | Maturity of entries: 2 prototype, 1 research··2·1· | 70 | 1 | 1 |
| Quantum and advanced computingTechnologies that use quantum behavior to process information, make measurements, and connect quantum systems. | 12 | 0 | None rated | 62 | 2 | 0 |
| Biotechnology and biomanufacturingUsing living organisms, cells, and biological processes to develop materials, products, and technological capabilities. | 6 | 0 | None rated | 28 | 0 | 0 |
| Directed energySystems that direct concentrated electromagnetic energy or particle beams toward a target to produce a controlled effect. | 3 | 0 | None rated | 28 | 1 | 0 |
| Hypersonics and advanced missile technologiesTechnologies for very high-speed flight and advanced missiles, spanning propulsion, guidance, thermal protection, testing, and threat detection. | 5 | 0 | None rated | 22 | 1 | 0 |
| Research infrastructure and metrologyResearch and engineering of particle accelerators, superconducting radiofrequency systems and scientific beam facilities. | 0 | 0 | None rated | 11 | 0 | 0 |
