Air Force Special Warfare (SPECWAR)

Mission — Equipment Modernization source

Air Force Special Warfare (AFSPECWAR) Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) Weapon System executes precision strike, integration, and all-domain command and control missions to meet Air Force power projection for the joint force's expanded maneuver. 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. 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 EMSO 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 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. FY2026 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, EMSO 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. 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.

Mission — Guardian Angel RDT&E source

Guardian Angel (GA) is a Family of Systems (FoS) based in both human and equipment capabilities formulated to execute Air Force Personnel Recovery (PR) across the full spectrum of military operations. The GA FoS is employed by three distinct Air Force specialties: Pararescuemen (PJ), Combat Rescue Officer (CRO), and Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape (SERE) and is comprised of nine critical mission areas: Precision Aerial Insertion, Information Management, Force Application, Visual Augmentation, Maritime Recovery, Ground Mobility, Technical Rescue, Medical, and SERE. In order to stay aligned with with OSD Focus Area Command and Control (C2), logistics mobility (land/water), FY2026 funding will be used to obtain significant improvements in operational capability and develop items within the GA FoS to include but not limited to: Maritime Recovery (open ocean boat ), Ground Mobility, Technical Recovery, Precision Aerial Insertion (cargo & personnel parachutes), Medical (Simulators), Information Management, SERE, Visual Augmentation (night vision, augmented reality) and Force Protection. The GA weapon system development/Innovation activities also include studies, analysis, requirements development and developmental testing to support both current and future program planning and execution, quick-reaction capability prototypes/demonstrations to accelerate planning for technology transition, technology insertion and future acquisition programs. Funding will deliver enhanced capability for the dismounted GA Operators in terms of dramatic weight reduction, standardization of items across units, and increased mission effectiveness across the conflict spectrum. 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 $0.443M was expended for civilian pay expenses in this program element, and in FY 2025 $0.361M is forecast for civilian pay expenses in this program element.

Mission — ST System Development source

Special Tactics (ST)/Combat Control (ST/CC) is a human-based weapon system, comprised of both human and equipment capabilities formulated to provide the Air Force and Joint Force with support across the following missions: Global Access, Precision Strike, and PR; with additional focus on EMSO, Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), and Ground-based Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD). ST is employed by Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) across two distinct operator specialties: Combat Control, and Special Reconnaissance. Special Warfare Acquisition, Growth and Refresh (SWAGR) is the program of record to develop, integrate, test, procure and field the latest technology and equipment across a wide range of capabilities to ensure AFSPECWAR ST operators can achieve the mission sets outlined above. Specifically, SWAGR delivers modernized capability in the areas of body-worn hardware/software, tactical communications, ground mobility, small UAS, visual augmentation, maritime, special reconnaissance, technical recovery, and assault zones. FY2026 Funding will provide for continued software development and modernization of the body-worn kit to enhance situational awareness, communication, information management, and airpower integration for ST operators in the battlespace. These enhancements will improve the ability recognize, identify, range, nominate, and designate targets during both day and night operations. Improvements will also significantly reduce the time required to find, track, fix targets, and engage the enemy by attacking adversary signals of interest, providing highly accurate target grid coordinates in three dimensions, generating target imagery both pre- and post-strike, and transmitting target data to C2 centers. Funding will also provide for the development and test of emerging technology, and the integration of the latest mature technology into the ST weapon system to conduct mission essential tasks. 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 $1.320M was expended for civilian pay expenses in this program element, and in FY 2025 $1.488M is forecast for civilian pay expenses in this program element.

Mission — Air Force Special Warfare (SPECWAR) source

Air Force Special Warfare (AFSPECWAR) includes Guardian Angel (GA), Special Tactics/Combat Control (ST/CC), Tactical Air Control Party-Modernization (TACP-M) and Air Force Special Warfare-TACP (AFSPECWAR-TACP) programs that develop, integrate, train and test equipment and systems to provide TACPs, GA airmen and ST/CC airmen capabilities to accomplish unique and challenging missions. All three are human based weapons systems. AFSPECWAR Airmen execute seven Mission Essential Tasks: -Gain access to allies, partners, and terrain for Joint All Domain Operations -Conduct reconnaissance and surveillance -Provide resilient Command and Control forward -Execute Forward Airfield Operations -Accomplish cyberspace and electromagnetic spectrum operations (CO/EMSO) -Perform Personnel Recovery and Reconstitution -Integrate to deliver joint fires and effects A. Guardian Angel (GA) is a Family of Systems (FoS) based in both human and equipment capabilities formulated to execute Air Force Personnel Recovery (PR) across the full spectrum of military operations. The GA FoS is employed by three distinct Air Force specialties: Pararescue men (PJ), Combat Rescue Officer (CRO), and Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape (SERE) and is comprised of nine critical mission areas: Precision Aerial Insertion, Information Management, Force Application, Visual Augmentation, Maritime Recovery, Ground Mobility, Technical Rescue, Medical, and SERE. In order to stay aligned with with OSD Focus Area Command and Control (C2), logistics mobility (land/water), FY2026 funding will be used to obtain significant improvements in operational capability and develop items within the GA FoS to include but not limited to: Maritime Recovery (open ocean boat ), Ground Mobility, Technical Recovery, Precision Aerial Insertion (cargo & personnel parachutes), Medical (Simulators), Information Management, SERE, Visual Augmentation (night vision, augmented reality) and Force Protection. The GA weapon system development/Innovation activities also include studies, analysis, requirements development and developmental testing to support both current and future program planning and execution, quick-reaction capability prototypes/demonstrations to accelerate planning for technology transition, technology insertion and future acquisition programs. Funding will deliver enhanced capability for the dismounted GA Operators in terms of dramatic weight reduction, standardization of items across units, and increased mission effectiveness across the conflict spectrum. B. Special Tactics (ST)/Combat Control (ST/CC) is a human-based weapon system, comprised of both human and equipment capabilities formulated to provide the Air Force and Joint Force with support across the following missions: Global Access, Precision Strike, and PR; with additional focus on EMSO, Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), and Ground-based Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD). ST is employed by Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) across four distinct operator specialties: Combat Control, Pararescue, Special Reconnaissance and Tactical Air Control Party. Special Warfare Acquisition, Growth and Refresh (SWAGR) is the program of record to develop, integrate, test, procure and field the latest technology and equipment across a wide range of capabilities to ensure AFSPECWAR ST operators can achieve the mission sets outlined above. Specifically, SWAGR delivers modernized capability in the areas of body-worn hardware/software, tactical communications, ground mobility, small UAS, visual augmentation, maritime, special reconnaissance, technical recovery, and assault zones. FY2026 Funding will provide for continued software development and modernization of the body-worn kit to enhance situational awareness, communication, information management, and airpower integration for ST operators in the battlespace. These enhancements will improve the ability recognize, identify, range, nominate, and designate targets during both day and night operations. Improvements will also significantly reduce the time required to find, track, fix targets, and engage the enemy by attacking adversary signals of interest, providing highly accurate target grid coordinates in three dimensions, generating target imagery both pre- and post-strike, and transmitting target data to C2 centers. Funding will also provide for the development and test of emerging technology, and the integration of the latest mature technology into the ST weapon system to conduct mission essential tasks. C. Air Force Special Warfare (AFSPECWAR) Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) Weapon System executes precision strike, integration, and all-domain command and control missions to meet Air Force power projection for the joint force's expanded maneuver. 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. 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 address frequent TACP combat deployments that sometimes lead users to change equipment procurement requirements 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) 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 EMSO capabilities; developing and integrating a passive IR sensor which will provide a 24/7 360 degree infrared imaging capability utilizing artificial intelligence for threat detection; developing High Capacity Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) Baseband Backhaul (BB/BH) systems and other communications support equipment; integrating advanced defined waveforms (Low Probability of Intercept/Low Probability of Detection (LPI/LPD)); improving network architecture to move data across elements & echelons and using Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) for force protection and network extension. FY2026 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, EMSO 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. D. The Joint Terminal Control Training and Rehearsal (JTC TRS) Program , under the Tactical Airborne Control System, funds development necessary to provide a Distributed Mission Operations (DMO) capable, high-fidelity simulator for Special Warfare airmen, to include TACP, ST/CCT, Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) operations and ASOC operations. JTC TRS is essential to provide initial training, mission qualification training, continuation training, and currency control requirements to JTACs and Special Tactics personnel. JTAC control training requirements exceed the ability of live-fly aircraft to meet, and JTC TRS is the only capability enabling JTACs to achieve and maintain minimum required training for both qualification and proficiency in accordance with the U.S and Partner Nation Memorandum of Agreement for JTAC certification and qualification. The JTC TRS Program provides research and development to facilitate interoperability with joint and sister Service air-ground simulation using industry standards. JTC TRS will provide the capability to network aircrew full mission trainers and training centers in a live-virtual-constructive network. This development effort will also integrate ASOCs with the Joint Theater Air Ground Simulation System (JTAGSS) trainer for Joint Fires integration. The simulator will supplement live field training and live-fly sorties to provide realistic introductory, proficiency, currency, and upgrade training in a simulated battlefield, disaster, or humanitarian relief environment. JTAGSS is a continuation of the ASOC simulation trainer initially funded in 2009 and complements the JTC TRS trainer by providing a total air-ground constructive simulation environment for integrated networked training and mission rehearsal capability that will develop TACP/CCT/JTAC and ASOC/Special Operations Forces (SOF) C2 battle staff skills. JTAGSS will provide the ASOC, SOF, and TACP with the vertical and horizontal C2 communications and coordination training and mission rehearsal required for mission effectiveness. There are insufficient exercises and live training events available to meet mandated readiness requirements. The system will include a secure network connection, a constructive simulation environment generator with sharable databases, computer workstations that have synthetic reflex agent applications for each ASOC/SOF crew position to execute the Air Tasking Order. FY2026 funding will continue development of AI-based Reflex Agent Manager/Role Player and both the development and integration of WARHAWK into JTAGSS Command and Control Trainers to implement the Joint Air Ground Integration Center (JAGIC). FY2024 and FY 2025 funding for BA 07 Project 0207457F for Guardian Angel (675352), Special Tactics/Combat Control (ST/CC) (675138), Tactical Air Control Party-Modernization (TACP-M)(676013) and Air Force Special Warfare-TACP (AFSPECWAR-TACP)(675234) BPACs can be found in BA 07 Projects 0207522F, 0408011F, 0207444F, and 0207148F respectively. The FY 2026 request was reduced by $.620 million for Advisory and Assistance Services to promote efficiencies and advance the policies of the Administration in alignment with Executive Order 14222, "Implementing the President's Department of Government Efficiency Cost Efficiency Initiative.” 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 — TACP Support source

a. The Joint Terminal Control Training and Rehearsal (JTC TRS) Program, under the Tactical Airborne Control System, funds development necessary to provide a Distributed Mission Operations (DMO) capable, high-fidelity simulator for Special Warfare airmen, to include TACP, ST/CCT, Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) operations and ASOC operations. JTC TRS is essential to provide initial training, mission qualification training, continuation training, and currency control requirements to JTACs and Special Tactics personnel. JTAC control training requirements exceed the ability of live-fly aircraft to meet, and JTC TRS is the only capability enabling JTACs to achieve and maintain minimum required training for both qualification and proficiency in accordance with the U.S and Partner Nation Memorandum of Agreement for JTAC certification and qualification. The JTC TRS Program provides research and development to facilitate interoperability with joint and sister Service air-ground simulation using industry standards. JTC TRS will provide the capability to network aircrew full mission trainers and training centers in a live-virtual-constructive network. This development effort will also integrate ASOCs with the Joint Theater Air Ground Simulation System (JTAGSS) trainer for Joint Fires integration. The simulator will supplement live field training and live-fly sorties to provide realistic introductory, proficiency, currency, and upgrade training in a simulated battlefield, disaster, or humanitarian relief environment. b. JTAGSS is a continuation of the ASOC simulation trainer initially funded in 2009 and complements the JTC TRS trainer by providing a total air-ground constructive simulation environment for integrated networked training and mission rehearsal capability that will develop TACP/CCT/JTAC and ASOC/Special Operations Forces (SOF) C2 battle staff skills. JTAGSS will provide the ASOC, SOF, and TACP with the vertical and horizontal C2 communications and coordination training and mission rehearsal required for mission effectiveness. There are insufficient exercises and live training events available to meet mandated readiness requirements. The system will include a secure network connection, a constructive simulation environment generator with sharable databases, computer workstations that have synthetic reflex agent applications for each ASOC/SOF crew position to execute the Air Tasking Order. FY2026 funding will continue development of AI-based Reflex Agent Manager/Role Player and both the development and integration of WARHAWK into JTAGSS Command and Control Trainers to implement the Joint Air Ground Integration Center (JAGIC). Funds may be used to address emerging and short notice Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortage (DMSMS) issues. DMS efforts to include removal of end-of-life software/hardware within simulators systems and move to a modular, common open system architecture that is sustainable and cyber-resilient. Implement requirements and standards defined under the Simulator Common Architecture Requirements and Standards initiative. 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.

Accomplishments & Planned Programs (4)