Airborne SIGINT Enterprise

Mission — Special Programs (Airborne SIGINT Development - Special Platforms) source

This project supports special SIGINT studies as well as the development and integration of advanced SIGINT capabilities for special programs including, but not limited to: quick reaction capability sensors, the processing, exploitation, and dissemination associated with these systems, and other efforts approved by the USAF SIGINT Capabilities Working Group (SCWG). Development efforts will include, but are not limited to: new signal sets, antenna improvements, sensitivity upgrades, and data distribution upgrades, and new/advanced deployment capabilities. This project provides the war fighter with near term combat capabilities with increased capability improvements accomplished as technologies and risks achieve satisfactory levels. Sensors will be integrated and tested on various platforms including the MQ-9A remotely piloted aircraft.

Mission — RC-135 (Airborne SIGINT Development - RC-135 Rivet Joint) source

This project supports design, engineering analysis, non-recurring engineering, development, test, and integration of RC-135 SIGINT sensor capabilities and their associated air and ground components. Through extensive utilization of commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) based solutions to field needed capabilities, it also incurs a need for continuous identification of suitable replacements for components affected by Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and integration efforts consistent with the COTS technology cycle. These efforts provide required engineering for preliminary assessments of technical feasibility, operability, or military utility as well as specific engineering implementations integrated into the various baseline modifications. 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. These funds will be disbursed among the RC-135V/W RIVET JOINT, the RC-135U COMBAT SENT, and the RC-135S COBRA BALL programs. Funding reflects the SCWG priorities and the accomplishment of other Airborne SIGINT Enterprise initiatives.

Mission — Airborne SIGINT Enterprise source

This Program Element (PE 34260F) invests authorized and appropriated funds for airborne Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) research, development, test and evaluation (RDT&E) efforts in support of the National Defense Strategy (NDS), as applied by the Air Force in the Next Generation ISR Dominance Flight Plan, and the annual U.S. Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance Planning and Programing Guidance (IP2G). The future ISR portfolio will consist of multi-domain, multi-intelligence systems to meet emerging threats across the entire conflict spectrum. The Airborne SIGINT Enterprise (ASE) PE is integral to developing the SIGINT component of a multi-domain, multi-ISR system capable of maintaining the warfighter's decision advantage through all ranges of military operations, to include highly contested environments (HCEs). To ensure alignment with Congressional intent, urgent Combatant Command requirements, and Departmental Priorities, the Air Force (AF)established the SIGINT Capabilities Working Group (SCWG) to guide, prioritize, and synchronize enterprise SIGINT sensor technology investments at the headquarters level. ASE program funds are distributed to projects based on SCWG development priorities. When required, the USAF may move funds between ASE projects, developing the highest priority projects in response to urgent (e.g., JUON) and emerging (e.g., JEON) warfighter needs. The ASE program participates in the development, integration, testing, and implementation of data and architecture standards to ensure joint, allied, and coalition interoperability with ASE fielded systems. ASE leads the modernization efforts including existing airborne platform sensors and algorithms, and where appropriate, their interfaces with ground systems, the broader sensing grid, and the DAF Battle Network. ASE guides RDT&E investments through the Air Force SIGINT Architecture (AFSA). AFSA is focused on documenting and maintaining the current SIGINT enterprise and open architecture standards whenever possible, to allow maximum effectiveness, efficiency and flexibility of development upgrades with multi-domain interoperability. The primary goal is to produce an open system architecture-based, capability-focused SIGINT investment strategy for the USAF. AFSA funds were moved out of the ASE PE after FY24. ASE capabilities span all levels of conflict and operate throughout the permissive, contested, and highly contested environments. Additional details are available at the appropriate classification level. 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, 0605898F. In FY24, $0.658M was expended for civilian pay expenses in this program element, and in FY25, $0.902M 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 — COMPASS BRIGHT source

Based on ISR capability gaps identified by the Air Force (via the SCWG), the COMPASS BRIGHT program develops projects in the SIGINT and MASINT areas for transition to the RC-135 fleet, additional DoD ISR platforms/systems, and national agencies. This program pursues SIGINT technologies for program transition, to include Communications Intelligence (COMINT), Electronic Intelligence (ELINT), Audio, Analytics, Special Signals of Interest, and Radio Frequency Measurement and Signature Intelligence (MASINT). Compass Bright will pursue MULTI-INT capabilities such as but not limited to, cross-cue and fusion from other INTs such as Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT), in order to create a holistic Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) picture for the warfighter and the Intelligence Community (IC). The COMPASS BRIGHT program objective is to mature technologies for application in SIGINT and MASINT systems or subsystems. Production and integration of these developed technologies will be conducted by the appropriate programs. COMPASS BRIGHT projects are selected through an annual data call process, whereby the USAF evaluates proposals from the laboratories, platforms, and other government agencies, to select those projects that are best aligned with NDS objectives. The program office authority extends to accomplishment of out-of-cycle COMPASS BRIGHT efforts. These tasks may be filtered through the SIGINT Capability Working Group (SCWG) outside the normal vetting process to expedite acquisition of capabilities for the warfighter. 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, 0605898F. In FY24, 0.000M was expended for civilian pay expenses in this program element, and in FY25, 0.000M is forecast for civilian pay expenses in this program element.

Mission — Common Development (Airborne SIGINT Development - Common Development) source

The Common Development project supports airborne SIGINT design studies, engineering analysis, non-recurring engineering (NRE), program management, risk reduction, and other efforts associated with support to fielded SIGINT sensors and their associated air and ground components. The Common Development project also supports the development and integration of new sensor capabilities, quick reaction capabilities, and capabilities to address emerging needs as identified by the SIGINT Capabilities Working Group (SCWG). Finally, the Common Development project supports replacement components affected by Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages (DMSMS). Future SIGINT sensors are being developed through the implementation of open architecture concepts that enable the rapid integration of new signals of interests. Future SIGINT sensor efforts will address needs identified in the National Defense Strategy and Next Generation ISR Dominance Flight Plan in order to sustain SIGINT operations in a highly contested environment. The efforts include, but are not limited to, demonstrating SIGINT capabilities using a CI-6 family of systems sensor on a current USAF platform, demonstrating integration of a CI-6 family of systems sensor with USAF ground stations like the Distributed Common Ground System (DCGS), and other ground systems, conducting CI-6 family of systems sensor improvements, developing Low-Cost UAS Sensor Technology (LOCUST), and furthering the development of CRESTONE to counter emerging threats. This project also supports overarching Airborne SIGINT Enterprise (ASE) common development to include, but not limited to, the Air Force SIGINT Architecture maintenance, SIGINT modeling and simulation efforts, and technology development and risk reduction through the Air Force Research Lab managed Open Architecture Technology Lab (OATL). Capability improvements needed to exploit service identified signals of interest will be identified as priorities by the Air Force SCWG. This project provides the warfighter increased SIGINT combat capability via rapid acquisition. Capability enhancements are implemented as soon as the ASE technology achieves satisfactory risk levels. ASE developed Sensors will be prototyped, integrated and tested on available platforms, funding permitting. 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, 0605898F. In FY24, 0.658M was expended for civilian pay expenses in this program element, and in FY25, 0.902M is forecast for civilian pay expenses in this program element.

Accomplishments & Planned Programs (4)