Printed from https://fiscalreceipts.com/program/10TRGT/ — data as of July 28, 2026. Every figure is citation-backed; see the page online for per-number provenance.
Target Drones
Budget Figures
FY2026 award data is a partial year — USASpending awards are reported on a rolling basis and the fiscal year does not close until September 30. why partial FY2026 data? →
- FY24
- $34.5M
- FY26
- $34.2M
● actuals (line) · ○ enacted · ◇ request — gaps are editions the program is absent from, never interpolated.
| Series | FY22 | FY23 | FY24 | FY25 | FY26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Actuals | $112.4M | $113.7M | $34.5M | ||
| Enacted | – | $113.7M | $42.2M | $37.6M | |
| Request | – | – | $42.2M | $37.6M | $34.2M |
blank = series not published for this year; – = absent from that edition.
Asked vs spent: the PB2024 book requested $42.2M for FY2024; the PB2026 book reports $34.5M actually spent — $7.70M below the request.
Program Lineage
No predecessor/successor lineage was recorded for this program element — no FY-to-FY transfer into or out of this line was stated in the ingested J-books, and none was inferred from the program structure.
Description
Description — Target Drones
Full-scale Aerial Targets (FSAT) and Subscale Aerial Targets (SSAT) assure warfighters' weapon systems will perform effectively against real-world enemy fighters and cruise missiles. Aerial targets provide adherence to Public Law Title 10, Section 2366 "Live Fire/Lethality" developmental/operational test requirements. Target drones are used to validate operational missile/weapon system effectiveness and fighter Operational Flight Program (OFP) updates. Targets are essential for development testing/operational testing for all air-to-air (e.g., AIM-260, AIM-120, AIM-9X, etc.) and surface-to-air missiles (e.g. PAC 3, FIM 92 Stinger), and for the F-35, F-22A, F-18, F-16, F-15, among other aircraft. The objective is to provide threat realistic targets for missile testing to enable the development of offensive counter-air systems (air-to-air and surface-to-air) capable of defeating changing enemy airborne threats. This program provides funding for the procurement and/or sustainment of Air Force Subscale Aerial Targets (BQM-167A - AFSAT), Full-scale Aerial Targets (QF-16 - FSAT), Target Control System (TCS), scoring systems, to include applicable target/TCS subsystems and modernization of mission/support equipment through tech refresh. The TCS program ensures software interoperability among service ranges, the encryption of range/aircraft data links, and associated communication devices. Funds support procurement of hardware and software to support the fielding of modernized Target Control System to support the gaps identified by ACC to enable realistic emulation of 5th and 6th generation enemy threats. Funding also provides for capabilities to meet current and future threats. Funding may be utilized for analysis and presentation of evolving threat scenarios and target area environments related to emerging threats. Funds may be used to requalify production lines, or qualify new ones, as needed. Aerial targets and associated systems are required for congressionally mandated testing and Air Force developmental and operational testing. Air Force is the designated executive agent for full-scale aerial targets. The Navy is the lead service for subscale aerial targets. This requirement supports performance of a full financial audit as required by title 10 U.S.C. Chapter 9A, Sec 240-D. Funding may be used to address production Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages (DMSMS)/Obsolescence issues through studies, bridge buys, life of type buys, supplier/parts replacement and qualification activities to preserve future production capabilities and capacities. The FY 2026 request was reduced by -$1.183 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." Funding for this exhibit contained in PE 0305116F.
Justification
Justification — Target Drones
AFSAT: FY26 funding to be utilized to procure approximately 20 USAF production assets, support equipment, sustaining production, diminishing manufacturing, engineering support, and obsolescence. FY 2024 QF-16 funds used towards the transition from procurement to sustainment and to continue with production shutdown. The QF-16 program is transitioning towards a sustainment-focused posture. While no funds are currently programmed for NOE production re-work installs or production shutdown activities in FY25/FY26. Note: Procurement quantities can change based on negotiated options/pricing bands and available funding, in accordance with Title 10, U.S. Code Section 2308 BUY-TO-BUDGET ACQUISITION.
Budget Line Items(workbook-cited)
Exhibit P-1
| Account | Org | Type | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aircraft Procurement, Air Force | F | FY24 Actuals | $34.5M |
| Aircraft Procurement, Air Force | F | FY25 Enacted | $37.6M |
| Aircraft Procurement, Air Force | F | FY26 Disc. Request | $34.2M |
| Aircraft Procurement, Air Force | F | FY26 Total | $34.2M |
Budget Details(R-2/P-40 facts)
| Project | FY24 Actuals | FY25 Total | FY26 Base | FY26 Request |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program Element | $34.5M | $37.6M | $34.2M | $34.2M |
No follow-the-dollar view — this program's awards haven't been crosswalked at high confidence (flows cover 17 of 1741 programs). why coverage is partial? →
Awards
No awards are linked to this program element at high confidence — the budget→award crosswalk only asserts links it can defend, and this line has none yet.
Lobbying Mentions
No Senate LDA lobbying filing in the tracked data mentions this program element by code or alias.
No research dossier for this program — dossiers cover 50 of 1741 programs, the largest fully J-book-detailed lines by FY2026 requested dollars. why no dossier here? →