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Fiscal Receipts

MQ-9 UAV

SOCOMRDT&EPartial Reconciliation1105219BB
What it is
MQ-9 UAV — a research & development program run by SOCOM.
What changed
No FY25→26 comparison — trajectory data incomplete for this line.
Who gets it
No award linkage at high confidence.

Budget Figures

FY24 Actuals
$90.8M
FY25 Total
$34.9M
FY26 Request
FY25→26 Change
Budget Trajectory
FY24: $90.8MFY25: $34.9MFY24FY25
FY24
$90.8M
FY25
$34.9M

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 →

No research dossier for this program — dossiers cover 50 of 326 programs, ranked by FY2026 requested dollars. why →

Budget Line Items(workbook-cited)

Exhibit R-1

AccountOrgTypeAmount
Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Defense-WideSOCOMFY24 Actuals$90.8M
Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Defense-WideSOCOMFY25 Enacted$34.9M
Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Defense-WideSOCOMFY25 Total$34.9M

Budget Details(R-2/P-40 facts)

ProjectAll Prior YearsFY24 ActualsFY25 Total
Program Element$275.6M$90.8M$34.9M
S851: MQ-9 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)$275.6M$90.8M$34.9M

Program Narratives

MissionMQ-9 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)

This Program Element (PE) identifies, develops, rapidly prototypes, integrates, and tests Special Operations (SO)-peculiar mission kits, mission payloads, weapons, and modifications on MQ-9 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), Ground Control Stations (GCSs), and training systems as a component of the Medium Altitude Long Endurance Tactical (MALET) program. The United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) is designated as the DoD lead for planning, synchronizing, and as directed, executing global operations against terrorist networks. The USSOCOM requires the capability to find, fix, finish, exploit, and analyze time-sensitive high-value targets. These targets can often only be identified with patient collection of information and require rapid, decisive action during the short periods in which they present themselves. This program element addresses the primary areas of Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Target Acquisition and Strike. This PE received Congressional Add funding in FY 2024 for Adaptive Airborne Enterprise ($55.000 million). Beginning in FY 2026, all MQ-9 RDT&E funding has transitioned to PE 1160403BB, Aviation Systems, Project SF100: Aviation Systems Advanced Development, to support the acceleration of the A2E concept. The total cost of the MQ-9 Middle Tier of Acquisition effort is $240.605 million, including RDT&E and procurement of prototype units. The MQ-9 is fully funded through completion in FY 2025.

MissionMQ-9 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)

As the supported Combatant Command in global operations, the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) requires the capability to find, fix, finish, exploit, and analyze time-sensitive high-value targets. These targets can often only be identified with patient collection of information and require rapid, decisive action during the short periods in which they present themselves. This project addresses the primary areas of Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Target Acquisition and Strike. The majority of the developmental funds provides for the Operational Flight Program (OFP) Software for the aircraft, Ground Control Station (GCS), and turret. Special Operations-peculiar (SO-p) modifications to the OFP allow for a rapid integration of emerging capabilities in order to maintain relevance and dominance of the MQ-9.

Accomplishments & Planned Programs (1)

MQ-9 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), Program Number 839

Identifies, develops, integrates, and tests SO-p mission kits, mission payloads, weapons, and modifications on MQ-9 UAS, GCSs, and training systems.

No follow-the-dollar view — this program's awards haven't been crosswalked at high confidence (flows cover 17 of 326 programs). why →

Primary Sources