Tactical Air Control Party-Mod

Mission — Tactical Air Control Party-Mod source

This budget line funds the Air Force Special Warfare (AFSPECWAR) Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) Weapon System which executes precision strike, integration, and all-domain command and control missions to meet Air Force power projection for the joint force's expanded maneuver. TACP Airmen are part of the Air Force's premier ground combat units that are highly maneuverable and scalable. They execute ground-based command and control functions and seamlessly integrate kinetic and non-kinetic effects across the entire spectrum of conflict. They do this by providing joint force air component commanders with a highly trained force that operates at the tactical edge in highly contested environments and complicates enemy decision-making processes. Additionally, TACP Airmen conduct precision strike and integration operations at all echelons of maneuver warfare, from dismounted operations on the forward edge of the battlefield to tactical command posts; TACP Airmen plan, request, advise, and control joint fires and air power to meet multinational operations and supported Combatant commander's objectives. The purpose of Tactical Air Control Party - Modernization (TACP-M) programs are to provide TACPs with modernized voice, data, and video communications, including diverse waveforms and software, advanced targeting equipment, and enhanced battlefield awareness/management capabilities across all domains. Improved targeting and data communications capabilities improve kill chain timelines, defeat adversary systems through opening and closing kill webs, extended critical networks to the forward edge, and when required reduce the probability of fratricide or collateral damage. TACP-M programs support include addressing frequent TACP combat deployments that sometimes lead users to change equipment procurement priorities to support urgent operational needs and respond to evolving threat environments. TACP-M programs jointly develop and procure software and hardware with other AFSPECWAR programs to consolidate requirements that are common across the AFSPECWAR enterprise. This teaming arrangement helps standardize equipment, improves efficiency by consolidating acquisition efforts, enabling a common baseline, and reducing overall costs. TACP-M programs provide and modernize capabilities in the following five major areas: (1) Air Support Operations Center (ASOC)/Tactical Operational Center (TOC) systems; also known as TACP Command and Control and communications (C3) (used in static, mobile and maneuverable operations centers), (2) Vehicle Mounted Systems (used in tactical vehicles) and for On-The-Move and At-The-Halt operations, (3) Dismounted Systems (used by TACPs in wearable configurations), (4) Joint all-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) software, and (5) Support distributed and resilient ground-based command and control teams that leverage airpower within the Theater Air Control System. To ensure survivable and effective C3 capabilities, TACP needs to develop equipment capable of sensing (passive and active) enemy activity within the electromagnetic environment and deliver non-kinetic effects through ground-based jamming Electro-Magnetic Spectrum (EMS) awareness, develop and integrate and a Wide Area Infrared System (WAIS) which will provide a 24/7 360 degree infrared imaging capability covering critical areas utilizing artificial intelligence for threat detection, High Capacity Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) Baseband Backhaul (BB/BH) and other communications support equipment, advanced software defined waveforms (Low Probability of Intercept/Low Probability of Detection (LPI/LPD)); network architecture to move data across elements & echelons and Small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) for force protection and network extension. FY26 funding will allow for the continued development of TACP Mission Software, WARHAWK and Special Warfare Assault Kit (SWAK)/Tactical Assault Kit (TAK) software Tactical Laser Communications capabilities, other JADC2 network enabling software applications and suites, EMS and BLOS BB/BH. The CASS 1.4.5 program (to be renamed to "TACP Mission Software”) includes the WARHAWK and SWAK software programs modernizing the software used in Command, Control, Communications and Cybersecurity (C4) processing systems for ASOC/TOC (TACP C2) operations, as well as vehicle Mounted and Dismounted operations. The software will allow enhanced capability and seamless communication between the operations centers and the TACP military units in high combat areas. The Tactical Laser Communications project includes the development of a Portable Optical Communication Terminal prototype, providing a Low Probability of Intercept/Low Probability of Detection, highly anti-jammable communication capability. The Tactical Laser Communications project also includes the development of supporting Tactical networks, enabling global access into the Department of Defense information Network, ensuring diverse and resilient pathways for data transmission for TACP military units in remote locations. TACP-M funding also supports innovation activities to include studies, analyses, requirements definition, and quick-reaction capability prototypes/demonstrations to accelerate planning for technology transition, technology insertion and future acquisition programs such as but not limited to Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. Items requested in FY2026 as identified in this Exhibit are representative but not limited to the items to be developed. Items developed during execution may change based on critical equipment needed to support current Air Force mission requirements. FY26 funding ($12.038M) for BA 07 0207444F was transferred to BA 07 Project 0207457F. 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 0605829F, 0605831F, 0605833F, or 0605898F. In FY 2024 0.000M was expended for civilian pay expenses in this program element, and in FY 2025 0.000M is forecast for civilian pay expenses in this program element. This program is in Budget Activity 7, Operational System Development because this budget activity includes development efforts to upgrade systems that have been fielded or have received approval for full rate production and anticipate production funding in the current or subsequent fiscal year.

Mission — Equipment Modernization source

This budget line funds the Air Force Special Warfare (AFSPECWAR) Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) Weapon System which executes precision strike, integration, and all-domain command and control missions to meet Air Force power projection for the joint force's expanded maneuver. TACP Airmen are part of the Air Force's premier ground combat units that are highly maneuverable and scalable. They execute ground-based command and control functions and seamlessly integrate kinetic and non-kinetic effects across the entire spectrum of conflict. They do this by providing joint force air component commanders with a highly trained force that operates at the tactical edge in highly contested environments and complicates enemy decision-making processes. Additionally, TACP Airmen conduct precision strike and integration operations at all echelons of maneuver warfare, from dismounted operations on the forward edge of the battlefield to tactical command posts; TACP Airmen plan, request, advise, and control joint fires and air power to meet multinational operations and supported Combatant commander's objectives. The purpose of Tactical Air Control Party - Modernization (TACP-M) programs are to provide TACPs with modernized voice, data, and video communications, including diverse waveforms and software, advanced targeting equipment, and enhanced battlefield awareness/management capabilities across all domains. Improved targeting and data communications capabilities improve kill chain timelines, defeat adversary systems through opening and closing kill webs, extended critical networks to the forward edge, and when required reduce the probability of fratricide or collateral damage. TACP-M programs support include addressing frequent TACP combat deployments that sometimes lead users to change equipment procurement priorities to support urgent operational needs and respond to evolving threat environments. TACP-M programs jointly develop and procure software and hardware with other AFSPECWAR programs to consolidate requirements that are common across the AFSPECWAR enterprise. This teaming arrangement helps standardize equipment, improves efficiency by consolidating acquisition efforts, enabling a common baseline, and reducing overall costs. TACP-M programs provide and modernize capabilities in the following five major areas: (1) Air Support Operations Center (ASOC)/Tactical Operational Center (TOC) systems; also known as TACP Command and Control and communications (C3)(used in static, mobile and maneuverable operations centers), (2) Vehicle Mounted Systems (used in tactical vehicles) and for On-The-Move and At-The-Halt operations, (3) Dismounted Systems (used by TACPs in wearable configurations), (4) Joint all-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) software, and (5) Support distributed and resilient ground-based command and control teams that leverage airpower within the Theater Air Control System. To ensure survivable and effective C3 capabilities, TACP needs to develop equipment capable of sensing (passive and active) enemy activity within the electromagnetic environment and deliver non-kinetic effects through ground-based jamming Electro-Magnetic Spectrum (EMS) awareness, develop and integrate and a Wide Area Infrared System (WAIS) which will provide a 24/7 360 degree infrared imaging capability covering critical areas utilizing artificial intelligence for threat detection, High Capacity Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) Baseband Backhaul (BB/BH) and other communications support equipment, advanced software defined waveforms (Low Probability of Intercept/Low Probability of Detection (LPI/LPD)); network architecture to move data across elements & echelons and Small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) for force protection and network extension. FY 2026 funding will allow for the continued development of TACP Mission Software, WARHAWK and Special Warfare Assault Kit (SWAK)/Tactical Assault Kit (TAK) software, Tactical Laser Communications capabilities, other JADC2 network enabling software applications and suites, EMS and BLOS BB/BH. The CASS 1.4.5 program (to be renamed to "TACP Mission Software” includes the WARHAWK and SWAK software programs modernizing the software used in Command, Control, Communications and Cybersecurity (C4) processing systems for ASOC/TOC (TACP C2) operations, as well as vehicle Mounted and Dismounted operations. The software will allow enhanced capability and seamless communication between the operations centers and the TACP military units in high combat areas. The Tactical Laser Communications project includes the development of a Portable Optical Communication Terminal prototype, providing a Low Probability of Intercept/Low Probability of Detection, highly anti-jammable communication capability. The Tactical Laser Communications project also includes the development of supporting Tactical networks, enabling global access into the Department of Defense information Network, ensuring diverse and resilient pathways for data transmission for TACP military units in remote locations. TACP-M funding also supports innovation activities to include studies, analyses, requirements definition, and quick-reaction capability prototypes/demonstrations to accelerate planning for technology transition, technology insertion and future acquisition programs such as but not limited to Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. Items requested in FY 2026 as identified in this Exhibit are representative but not limited to the items to be developed. Items developed during execution may change based on critical equipment needed to support current Air Force mission requirements. 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 0605829F, 0605831F, 0605833F, or 0605898F. In FY 2024 $0.000M was expended for civilian pay expenses in this program element, and in FY 2025 $0.000M is forecast for civilian pay expenses in this program element. This program is in Budget Activity 7, Operational System Development because this budget activity includes development efforts to upgrade systems that have been fielded or have received approval for full rate production and anticipate production funding in the current or subsequent fiscal year.

Accomplishments & Planned Programs (1)