High Frequency Radio Systems

Mission — Systems Engineering & Integration source

This program element funds the Airborne High Frequency Radio Modernization (AHFRM) program. The AHFRM program is critical for maintaining long-range High Frequency (HF) communication capabilities across multiple U.S. military aircraft platforms. This program replaces the existing, end-of-life AN/ARC-190 HF radios with the modernized AN/ARC-260 digital, software-defined HF radio. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulation mandates that all aircraft have HF radio capability on all transoceanic flights. This replacement is essential because the AN/ARC-190 is the only HF radio currently available for 15 critical aircraft platforms used by the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Coast Guard, encompassing 1,300 aircraft in total, many of which require multiple radios. By mid FY 2027, the AN/ARC-190 (no longer in production) is projected to fall below supply chain thresholds due to obsolescence, creating a critical capability gap. Impacted aircraft include AC-130J, B-1, B-52, C-5, C-17, C-130H, C-130J, E-4C, EC-130J, HC-130J (Air Force & Coast Guard), KC-46, KC-130T (US Marine Corps), KC-135, LC-130H, and MC-130J. The AN/ARC-260 is the only airborne HF digital radio currently in development capable of bridging this gap. It provides critical long-range HF communication, especially when satellite communications are disrupted. The AN/ARC-260 also incorporates advanced technologies, including 3G/4G Automatic Link Establishment and Low Probability of Intercept/Detection/Geolocation features, with an open architecture that supports software upgrades and future technology integration. These requirements ensure a survivable and secure communication path for critical Force Direction messages, making the AHFRM program essential for maintaining mission readiness. FY 2026 BUDGET JUSTIFICATION: In FY 2026, the AHFRM program will prioritize development of a digital antenna coupler and critical software upgrades for the AN/ARC-260 radio. The legacy analog coupler from the AN/ARC-190 was used in the development of the AN/ARC-260, however, it restricts the HF radio's processing power to 10 kHz instead of the desired 48 kHz wideband throughput. While the legacy analog coupler is compatible with the AN/ARC-260, it significantly diminishes the radio's overall capabilities. Furthermore, the analog coupler is no longer in production, creating significant supportability challenges beginning in FY 2027. Developing a digital antenna coupler unlocks the AN/ARC-260's full capabilities, ensuring optimal performance and long-term sustainability. FY 2026 digital coupler development activities include vendor site visits to determine vendor eligibility, vendor source selection, and initiating efforts in risk assessment and cost analysis, system engineering trade studies, requirements refinement and validation, and prototyping. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver weapon system capability. The use of such programs funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program element 0605827F, 0605828F, 0605829F, 0605831F, 0605832F, 0605833F, 0605898F, and 0606398F. In FY24 $0.000M was expended for civilian pay expenses in this program element, and in FY25 $0.000M is forecasted for civilian pay expenses in this program element. The FY 2026 request was reduced by $1.984 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.”

Mission — High Frequency Radio Systems source

This program element funds the Airborne High Frequency Radio Modernization (AHFRM) program. The AHFRM program is critical for maintaining long-range High Frequency (HF) communication capabilities across multiple U.S. military aircraft platforms. This program replaces the existing, end-of-life AN/ARC-190 HF radios with the modernized AN/ARC-260 digital, software-defined HF radio. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulation mandates that all aircraft have HF radio capability on all transoceanic flights. This replacement is essential because the AN/ARC-190 is the only HF radio currently available for 15 critical aircraft platforms used by the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Coast Guard, encompassing 1,300 aircraft in total, many of which require multiple radios. By mid FY 2027, the AN/ARC-190 (no longer in production) is projected to fall below supply chain thresholds due to obsolescence, creating a critical capability gap. Impacted aircraft include AC-130J, B-1, B-52, C-5, C-17, C-130H, C-130J, E-4C, EC-130J, HC-130J (Air Force & Coast Guard), KC-46, KC-130T (US Marine Corps), KC-135, LC-130H, and MC-130J. The AN/ARC-260 is the only airborne HF digital radio currently in development capable of bridging this gap. It provides critical long-range HF communication, especially when satellite communications are disrupted. The AN/ARC-260 also incorporates advanced technologies, including 3G/4G Automatic Link Establishment and Low Probability of Intercept/Detection/Geolocation features, with an open architecture that supports software upgrades and future technology integration. These requirements ensure a survivable and secure communication path for critical Force Direction messages, making the AHFRM program essential for maintaining mission readiness. FY 2026 BUDGET JUSTIFICATION: In FY 2026, the AHFRM program will prioritize development of a digital antenna coupler and critical software upgrades for the AN/ARC-260 radio. The legacy analog coupler from the AN/ARC-190 was used in the development of the AN/ARC-260, however, it restricts the HF radio's processing power to 10 kHz instead of the desired 48 kHz wideband throughput. While the legacy analog coupler is compatible with the AN/ARC-260, it significantly diminishes the radio's overall capabilities. Furthermore, the analog coupler is no longer in production, creating significant supportability challenges beginning in FY 2027. Developing a digital antenna coupler unlocks the AN/ARC-260's full capabilities, ensuring optimal performance and long-term sustainability. FY 2026 digital coupler development activities include vendor site visits to determine vendor eligibility, vendor source selection, and initiating efforts in risk assessment and cost analysis, system engineering trade studies, requirements refinement and validation, and prototyping. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver weapon system capability. The use of such programs funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program element 0605827F, 0605828F, 0605829F, 0605831F, 0605832F, 0605833F, 0605898F, and 0606398F. In FY24 $0.000M was expended for civilian pay expenses in this program element, and in FY25 $0.000M is forecasted for civilian pay expenses in this program element. The FY 2026 request was reduced by $1.984 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.

Accomplishments & Planned Programs (1)