Aviation Systems

Mission — Aviation Systems source

The FY 2026 request for Aviation Systems includes $119.699 million of discretionary and $105.546 million of mandatory (reconciliation) for a total of $225.245 million. The mandatory funds for A2E begin phase two developing the foundational open system architecture that will enable multi-platform control. Continues integration of the Human Autonomy Common Control Architecture (HACCAr) which provides UAS human machine interface (HMI) critical command and control. HACCAr has demonstrated the ability to manage multiple semi autonomous and autonomous UASs simultaneously. Continues integration efforts for A2E Autonomy Architecture to enable sUAS behaviors without direct command and control inputs allowing operations in contested and denied environments. Continues integration of sUAS platforms including Air Launched Effects, Swarm Carrier, and Signature Managed. Initiate payload development and integration into sUAS platforms to provide extended ISR/NKE/Kinetic capabilities from SOF crewed and uncrewed aircraft. Initiates increment two for the agile development of the four A2E lines of effort. Further information for this reconciliation request is provided in Section 20010 (Readiness) of the Reconciliation Exhibit. The following justifications reflect the sum totals of mandatory (reconciliation) and discretionary categories of funding. ELEMENT FY 2024 FY 2025 FY 2026 Unclassified $165.003 $205.765 $210.689 Classified $32.513 $35.513 $14.556 TOTAL $197.516 $241.444 $225.245 SF100 Aviation Systems Advanced Development: This project provides for the development, rapid prototyping, demonstration, and integration of current and maturing technologies for Special Operations-peculiar (SO-p) aviation and training requirements to transform the foundation of future SOF aviation for the Joint Force. Timely application of SO-p technology is critical and necessary to meet requirements in areas such as: Aviation Engineering Analysis (AEA); Electronic Warfare (EW)-Radio Frequency Countermeasures (RFCM); High Speed Vertical Takeoff and Landing (HSVTOL); High Energy Laser (HEL); MC-130J Amphibious Capability (MAC); MH-47G and MH-60M SOF Common Terrain Following (TF)/Terrain Avoidance (TA) Silent Knight Radar (SKR); Precision Strike Package (PSP) and the Adaptive Airborne Enterprise (A2E). The AEA provides engineering analysis, market research, and designs to address aircraft survivability needs such as signature management, situational awareness, and versatile mission platform/equipment (payloads, communication, and weapons) to achieve SOF objectives. The EW-RFCM supports development, integration, and test activities to provide EW capability against Radio Frequency (RF) threats for SO-p AC/MC-130J aircraft. HSVTOL supports development and demonstration of agile and responsive air mobility capabilities to support runway independent operations, increased speed of maneuverability, and provide the ability to penetrate anti-access (A2)/anti-denial (AD) environments. The HEL supports development of an AC-130J laser weapons system for Low Probability of Detection (LPD) use in complex environments to enable joint/coalition SOF operations against targets such as communication nodes, light-to-medium duty vehicles, and power infrastructures. The MAC supports development and demonstration of amphibious capabilities on a C-130J to support runway independent operations and provide the ability to operate in logistically constrained environments. MH-47G and MH-60M SOF Common TF/TA SKR supports development, integration, and testing of SOF Common TF/TA Multi-Mode Radar (MMR) that provides Low Probability of Intercept (LPI) and LPD capabilities for MH-47G and MH-60M aircraft. The PSP supports systems engineering, analysis, development, and enhancement of the baseline PSP for integration, installation, and test for the SOF AC-130J aircraft and other SOF aviation platforms. A2E is a collaborative family of systems, enabling Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance/Automated Target Recognition/Line of Sight/Beyond Line of Sight/Passive Electronic Warfare capabilities within expendable autonomous sUAS platforms. A2E is major weapon system agnostic, deployable by unmanned and manned SOF aircraft delivering an on-demand scalable sensor grid that provides battlespace mapping in contested and denied environments. A2E will operationalize the Air Force’s Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) strategy to present exquisite, attributable, and expendable UAS for collaborative operations within permissive, contested, and denied environments. Beginning in FY 2025, all A2E RDT&E funding has been consolidated under PE 1160403BB, SF100.PR. The total cost of the RFCM Middle Tier of Acquisition (MTA) effort is $68.217 million, including RDT&E and procurement of prototype units. The RFCM effort is fully funded through FY 2026. SF200 CV-22 Development/Test and Evaluation: This project supports integration, design, development, rapid prototyping, and test to provide improved capabilities to include: more robust performance in Situational Awareness (SA); intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR); weapons; avionics; SOF communications; defensive/survivability systems; interoperability; speed and maneuverability; mission deployment and improved reliability and maintainability of the CV-22 platform. The CV-22 Osprey is a SOF variant of the V-22 vertical medium lift, multi-mission aircraft. The CV-22 provides long-range, high speed, all weather, infiltration (infil), exfiltration (exfil), and resupply of SOF teams in hostile, denied, and politically sensitive areas that allows the Joint Force to be more agile and responsive. These capabilities are not currently provided by other existing SOF vertical lift aircraft. Funding supports the following CV-22 requirements: CV-22 SOF Common TF/TA SKR, Reliability Improvements, and test aircraft flying hours and maintenance. SOF Common TF/TA SKR supports development of the CV-22 SOF Common TF/TA SKR Operational Flight Program (OFP) software and development of CV-22 platform software and hardware to support integration and testing. Supports design, integration, and testing of CV-22 avionics upgrades and correction of deficiencies to include, but not limited to electronic warfare upgrades; improved crew interface functionality; weapon systems; and Airborne Mission Networking (AbMN). Test aircraft flying hours and maintenance supports developmental flight testing and maintenance of the test CV-22 aircraft in performance of SOF capability development programs. SF300 Armed Overwatch: This project supports integration and testing of SO-p capabilities and aircraft certification efforts for the Armed Overwatch program. Armed Overwatch provides SOF with deployable, affordable, and sustainable crewed aircraft systems capable of executing Close Air Support (CAS), precision strike, and armed ISR requirements in austere and permissive environments for use in irregular warfare operations. Armed Overwatch was initially designated a MTA program which utilized a rapid prototype user assessment for a SO-p, fixed wing aircraft with specific sensors to detect ground assets. The USSOCOM Acquisition Executive approved the program's transition to the Major Capability Acquisition pathway at Milestone C in 4th QTR of FY 2022. S750 Mission Training and Preparation Systems (MTPS): The MTPS project funds program management, systems engineering, configuration management, architecture development, risk reduction, and trade study initiatives, as well as initiatives to assure interoperability and commonality between diverse mission planning, rehearsal, and execution systems. Additionally, this project funds the Extended Reality (XR) Training Transformation Simulator Block Upgrade Fixed Wing (SBUDF) program that develops and integrates training innovation and transformation solutions across the fixed-wing and special tactics augmented and virtual reality mission training device portfolio, to include AC-130J, MC-130J, CV-22, Armed Overwatch and C-146. S875 AC/MC-130J: This project supports the development, rapid prototyping, integration, automation, and testing of the AC-130J and MC-130J aircraft. The AC-130J Ghostrider provides CAS, air interdiction, and armed reconnaissance in support of special operations and conventional forces in contested and degraded environments. The MC-130J Commando II provides clandestine, or low visibility, single or multi-ship, low-level infil, exfil, and resupply of SOF, by airdrop or airland resupply of SOF helicopters and tiltrotor aircraft, intruding politically sensitive or hostile territories. Incremental upgrade and agile software delivery approaches will be used to rapidly prototype, integrate, mature, and continuously improve SOF capabilities for AC-130J and MC 130J aircraft. Efforts like Integrated Tactical Mission Systems (ITMS) provide critical automation and integration of SOF Tactical Mission Systems (TMS), including navigation, communication, precision fire control and aircraft defensive systems required to operate AC-130J and MC-130J aircraft in near-peer conflicts. Requirements include upgrades to integrate and automate SOF TMS's to provide systems interoperability, data fusion and improved situational awareness (SA), improved threat detection and avoidance, integrated TF/TA and SKR improvements, integrated defensive countermeasure (DCM) effects, PSP interoperability, integrated EW, and embedded training. Integrating and automating SOF mission systems that deliver these capabilities is critical to fielding SO-p AC-130J and MC-130J aircraft to be more lethal, resilient, survivable, agile, and responsive. The MAC supports development and demonstration of amphibious capabilities on a C-130J to support runway independent operations and provide the ability to operate in logistically constrained environments. MC-130J aircraft that receive AbMN, TF/TA, and RFCM SO-p modifications are designated with the popular name "Combat Talon III." In FY 2025 ITMS transitioned to the Software Acquisition Pathway upon completion of the effort and initial fielding of ITMS capability. D615 Rotary Wing Aviation: This project provides for the development, rapid prototyping, demonstration, and integration of current and maturing technologies for Special Operations - peculiar (SO-p) rotary wing aviation and training requirements, as well as next generation mobility to allow SO-p helicopters to operate in denied environments. This project includes modifications to systems to counter rapidly emerging threats, address cyber security, improve lethality and enhance aircraft self-protection in contested environments. Rotary wing aircraft supported by this project include MH-60M; MH-47G; A/MH-6; and Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA). These aircraft provide aviation support to SOF in worldwide contingency operations and low-intensity conflicts. The SOF Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (SOF FLRAA) must be capable of rapidly deploying, penetrating hostile areas undetected, and operating at extended ranges under adverse weather conditions to infiltrate, provide logistics for, reinforce, and extract SOF. The anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) threat is characterized by an extensive and sophisticated ground-based air defense system and an upgraded air-to-air capability targeted against helicopters. Mission Processor Upgrade (MPU) provides for non-recurring engineering, systems engineering/testing, and future aircraft architecture studies that support replacement and upgrade of the current mission and video processors for all Army Special Operations Aviation (ARSOA) rotary wing aircraft. Tactical Mission Networking (TMN) focuses on technology development of platform software and hardware systems with capabilities to enable aircraft to effectively adapt and overcome the challenges of a highly contested environment.

Mission — Rotary Wing Aviation source

This project provides for the development, rapid prototyping, demonstration, and integration of current and maturing technologies for Special Operations Forces - peculiar (SOF-p) rotary wing aviation and training requirements. This project provides next generation mobility to allow SOF-p helicopters to operate in denied environments. Rotary wing aircraft supported by this project include currently fielded: MH-60M; MH-47G; A/MH-6; and Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA). The currently fielded aircraft provide aviation support to SOF in worldwide contingency operations and low-intensity conflicts. These aircraft must be capable of rapidly deploying, penetrating hostile areas undetected, and operations at extended ranges under adverse weather conditions to infiltrate, provide logistics for, reinforce, and extract SOF. The anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) threat is characterized by an extensive and sophisticated ground based air defense system and an upgraded air-to-air capability targeted against helicopters. The Mission Processor Upgrades (MPU) provides for non-recurring engineering, systems engineering/testing, and future aircraft architecture studies that support replacement and upgrade of the current mission and video processors for all Army Special Operations Aviation (ARSOA) rotary wing aircraft. Tactical Mission Networking (TMN) focuses on technology development of platform software and hardware systems with capabilities to enable aircraft to effectively adapt and overcome the challenges of a highly contested and congested Radio Frequency (RF) environment.

Mission — Mission Training and Preparation Systems source

This project funds the definition, design, development, prototyping, integration, and testing of Mission Training and Preparation Systems (MTPS) to support training, avoid obsolescence, and maintain simulator concurrency with weapon system configurations; support mission planning and rehearsal systems enhancements required to meet Special Operations-peculiar (SO-p) mission requirements and correct deficiencies identified in previous testing; and support mission planning and rehearsal capabilities in current MTPS. The MTPS project also includes program management, systems engineering, configuration management, architecture development, risk reduction, and trade study initiatives, as well as initiatives to assure interoperability and commonality between diverse SOF training systems. Additionally, this project funds the Extended Reality (XR) Training Transformation Simulator Block Upgrade Fixed Wing (SBUDF) program that develops and integrates training innovation and transformation solutions across the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) fixed wing and special tactics augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) mission training device portfolio, to include AC-130J, MC-130J, CV-22, Armed Overwatch/OA-1K and C-146.

Mission — AC/MC-130J source

This project supports the development, rapid prototyping, integration, automation, and testing of the AC-130J and MC-130J aircraft. The AC-130J Ghostrider provides close air support (CAS), air interdiction, and armed reconnaissance in support of special operations and conventional forces in contested and degraded environments. The MC-130J Commando II provides clandestine, or low visibility, single or multiship, low-level infiltration (infil), exfiltration (exfil), and resupply of Special Operations Forces (SOF), by airdrop or airland and air refueling missions for special operations helicopters and tiltrotor aircraft, intruding politically sensitive or hostile territories. Incremental upgrade and agile software delivery approaches will be used to rapidly prototype, integrate and mature SOF capabilities onto the AC-130J and MC-130J aircraft. Capability Release Two (CR2) includes the following SOF modifications: Special Mission Systems (SMS), Auxiliary Flight Deck Station (AFDS), Defensive System Upgrade (DSU), Terrain Following (TF)/Terrain Avoidance (TA) radar, Airborne Mission Networking (AbMN), and Electronic Warfare (EW)/Radio Frequency Countermeasures (RFCM) programs. Additionally, Capability Release Three (CR3) builds upon the CR2 configuration through integration of an enhanced Tactical Flight Management System (TFMS), Auto-Route Replanner (ARR), integrated Defensive Countermeasure (DCM) Suite implemented in alignment to the Open Mission Systems (OMS) standard reference architecture and hosted on an upgraded Next Generation SMS. Efforts like Integrated Tactical Mission Systems (ITMS) in CR3 provide critical automation and integration of SOF Tactical Mission Systems (TMS), including navigation, communication, precision fire control and defensive systems required for safe flight in AC-130J and MC-130J aircraft. Requirements include upgrades to integrate and automate SOF TMS such as AbMN interoperability, data fusion and improved situational awareness, improved threat detection and avoidance, integrated TF / TA and Silent Knight Radar (SKR) improvements, DCM suite, Precision Strike Package (PSP) interoperability, integrated EW, and embedded training. Integrating and automating SOF mission systems that deliver these capabilities is critical to fielding SOF-capable AC-130J and MC-130J aircraft to be more lethal, resilient, survivable, agile, and responsive.

Mission — Aviation Systems Advanced Development source

This project provides for the development, rapid prototyping, demonstration, and integration of current and maturing technologies for Special Operations - peculiar (SO-p) aviation and training requirements to transform the foundation of future SOF aviation for the Joint Force. Timely application of SO-p technology is critical and necessary to meet requirements in areas such as: Aviation Engineering Analysis (AEA), Electronic Warfare (EW)-Radio Frequency Countermeasures (RFCM), High Speed Vertical Takeoff and Landing (HSVTOL), High Energy Laser (HEL), MC-130J Amphibious Capability (MAC), Adaptive Airborne Enterprise (A2E), MH-47G and MH-60M SOF Common Terrain Following (TF)/Terrain Avoidance (TA) Silent Knight Radar (SKR), and Precision Strike Package (PSP). The AEA provides engineering analysis, market research, and designs to address aircraft survivability needs such as signature management, situational awareness (SA), and versatile mission platform/equipment (payloads, communication, and weapons) to achieve SOF objectives. The EW-RFCM supports development, integration, and test activities to provide EW capability against Radio Frequency (RF) threats for SO-p AC/MC-130J aircraft. The HSVTOL supports development and demonstration of agile and responsive air mobility capabilities to support runway independent operations, increased speed of maneuverability, and provide the ability to penetrate anti-access (A2)/anti-denial (AD) environments. The HEL supports development of an AC-130J laser weapons system for Low Probability of Detection (LPD) use in complex environments to enable joint/coalition SOF operations against targets such as communication nodes, light-to-medium duty vehicles, and power infrastructures. The MAC supports development and demonstration of amphibious capabilities on a C-130J to support runway independent operations and provide the ability to operate in logistically constrained environments. MH-47G and MH-60M SOF Common TF/TA SKR supports development, integration, and testing of SOF Common TF/TA Multi-Mode Radar (MMR) that provides Low Probability of Intercept (LPI) and LPD capabilities for MH-47G and MH-60M aircraft. The PSP supports systems engineering, analysis, development, and enhancement of the baseline PSP for integration, installation, and test on SOF AC-130J aircraft and other SOF aviation platforms.

Mission — CV-22 source

This project supports integration, design, development, rapid prototyping, and test to provide improved capabilities to include, but not limited to: more robust performance in situational awareness (SA); intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), weapons, avionics; Special Operations Forces (SOF) communications; defensive/survivability systems; interoperability; speed and maneuverability; mission deployment and improved reliability and maintainability of the CV-22 platform. The CV-22 Osprey is a SOF variant of the V-22 vertical medium lift, multi-mission aircraft. The CV-22 provides long-range, high speed, all weather, infiltration (infil), exfiltration (exfil), and resupply of SOF teams in hostile, denied, and politically sensitive areas that allows the Joint Force to be more agile and responsive. These capabilities are not currently provided by other existing SOF vertical lift aircraft. Funding supports the following CV-22 requirements: CV-22 SOF Common Terrain Following (TF)/Terrain Avoidance (TA) Silent Knight Radar (SKR), Development, Reliability Improvements, and Test Aircraft Flying Hours and Maintenance.

Mission — Armed Overwatch/Targeting source

This project supports integration and testing of SO-peculiar (So-p) capabilities and aircraft certification efforts for the Armed Overwatch program. Armed Overwatch provides Special Operations Forces (SOF) with crewed deployable, affordable, and sustainable crewed aircraft systems capable of executing close air support (CAS), precision strike, and armed intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) requirements in austere and permissive environments for use in Irregular Warfare operations.

Accomplishments & Planned Programs (19)