Printed from https://fiscalreceipts.com/program/833170/ — data as of July 28, 2026. Every figure is citation-backed; see the page online for per-number provenance.
Mission Planning Systems
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
- $14.3M
- FY26
- $18.7M
● actuals (line) · ○ enacted · ◇ request — gaps are editions the program is absent from, never interpolated.
| Series | FY22 | FY23 | FY24 | FY25 | FY26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Actuals | $13.9M | $13.9M | $14.3M | ||
| Enacted | – | $13.9M | $17.1M | $18.5M | |
| Request | – | – | $17.1M | $18.5M | $18.7M |
blank = series not published for this year; – = absent from that edition.
Asked vs spent: the PB2024 book requested $17.1M for FY2024; the PB2026 book reports $14.3M actually spent — $2.82M 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 — Mission Planning Systems
The Mission Planning Systems (MPS) Hardware program includes two main efforts; (1) in support of MPS software development and (2) in support of Joint Precision Airdrop System (JPADS) operations. The program equips U.S. Air Force (USAF) Active Duty, Air National Guard, and Air Force Reserve flying units with hardware required for mission planning and airdrop operations. 1. MPS HARDWARE: Equips USAF operational flying units with hardware required to perform mission planning and integrate information with aircraft data transfer device systems. Aircraft supported include: Air Combat Command (ACC): F-15, F-16, F-22, F-35, A-10, E-3, E-4, E-7, RC/OC-135, HH-60, HC-130, EC-130, U-2, RQ-4 Air Mobility Command (AMC): C-5, C-17, C-130, KC-10, KC-135, KC-46 Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC): B-1, B-2, B-21, B-52, UH-1 Air Education and Training Command (AETC): T-38, T-7A, T-1, T-6 MPS provides a mission data management system that seamlessly interfaces with other planning systems and aircraft avionics, offering a flexible, configurable, and cost-effective range of capabilities to meet peacetime, contingency, and wartime planning needs. Mission planning enables aircrews to electronically receive mission information, such as tasking orders, intelligence data, target coordinates, imagery, and other relevant details from USAF Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence (C4I) systems. The information is used to prepare flight plans that include data for equipment and personnel airdrop, weapons planning, maps, charts, imagery, flight logs, radar predictions, and navigation. The data is electronically transferred to the aircraft and/or precision-guided weapons. Streamlining mission planning and data transfer helps increase sortie rates, improve aircrew and aircraft survivability, and enhance aircrew readiness. This hardware and software combination enables aircrews and planners to plan safe and effective operational missions in a timely manner. As the mission planning enterprise modernizes into an open mission systems architecture, the program will provide end items that support enterprise infrastructure, software development, and deployment. Mission planning hardware provides equipment needed to perform mission planning and includes commercial-based Personal Computers (PC) such as desktop computers, laptops, tablets, printers, storage devices, servers, displays, peripherals, software, software licenses, and support services. The program leverages advances in technology to enable high-end computing on smaller, more mission-oriented devices that provide sufficient processing power and memory to meet the demands of modern mission planning. Requirements balance system design, weighing performance against portability. The program will evolve in tandem with mission planning software modernization efforts. These assets enable aircrews with a portable, tailorable, and network-capable system that can be integrated with mission planning software and provide data interoperability with C4I systems. Additionally, components can be networked with further tailoring to support a platform's specific mission planning environment. Furthermore, changes in aircraft and weapons deployment, as well as evolving operational concepts, continue to influence mission planning hardware requirements, driving the need for adaptive system design and procurement. To address Diminishing Manufacturing Source (DMS) issues, MPS hardware is procured on a four-year lifecycle replacement schedule. Once procured, the systems are centrally managed. 2. JPADS enables precision airdrop for logistical resupply and the delivery of diverse payloads. These payloads include kinetic effects, such as guided missiles capable of navigating to designated coordinates, and non-kinetic effects like sensors, communication nodes, and jammers, which rely on gravity for deployment. JPADS enhances operational efficiency, survivability, and lethality by enabling the safe and effective delivery of critical supplies and equipment to forces in the field, including from altitudes beyond the range of certain surface-to-air threats. JPADS is utilized by mobility aircraft, primarily the C-17 and C-130 platforms, for high and low-altitude airdrops. JPADS utilizes and continually develops the Consolidated Airdrop Tool (CAT) software solution, a joint effort with the Army, U.S. Marine Corps (USMC), and other agencies. Software enhancements focus on improving accuracy and adaptability for various operational airdrop scenarios. To effectively address evolving operational demands in force projection, contested logistics, and multi-domain operations driven by ACC; AMC; Command, Control, Communications, and Battle Management (C3BM); and the Army, the airdrop program necessitates accelerated investment in advanced software and hardware development. Key hardware components for procurement include Antenna Control Units (ACUs), Ultra High Frequency Receivers (UHFs), Modular Air Guidance Units (MAGUs), and dropsondes. JPADS delivers cargo accurately using ACUs and UHFs for guidance and communication, while MAGUs steer cargo precisely with onboard intelligence. Dropsondes provide real-time weather data, enabling optimal precision. Replacement of outdated Block 3.0 (UHFs and ACUs) systems with Block 4.1 systems (each consisting of one ACU and one UHF) is required to maintain compliance with Department of Defense standards and address parts obsolescence. Essential for precision airdrop operations, these components are designed for roll-on/roll-off functionality where they can be easily loaded and unloaded from aircraft as needed for precision airdrop operations. AMC requires 170 new systems (163 replacements and 7 spares), totaling 340 subsystems (1 ACU and 1 UHF per system) by FY2028, to replace aging equipment and ensure mission readiness for precision airdrop. The upgrade is required to keep mobility aircraft equipped with reliable, repairable, and compliant equipment for precision airdrop capabilities. Costs for ACUs and UHFs average $40 thousand and $120 thousand per unit respectively. Cost increases each year are driven by rising production costs and parts obsolescence. The requested funding for FY2026 will support the ongoing modernization and readiness of our airdrop capabilities. Upgrading to Block 4.1 JPADS systems (ACUs and UHFs) is necessary to ensure our aircraft can continue to perform these vital missions in compliance with Military Standard (MIL-STD)-810H and MIL-STD-704F requirements, and Operational Safety, Suitability, and Effectiveness (OSS&E) compliance required by Air Force Materiel Command Instruction (AFMCI) 63-1201. Additionally, FY2026 funding will procure essential JPADS hardware to sustain operational readiness. To ensure successful fielding and system execution, the following items are also required: systems required for prototyping, testing, evaluation, and demonstrations; portable data storage units; engineering/technical support; equipment storage; associated hardware warranties; and components for technical refreshes and Diminishing Manufacturing Source and Material Shortage (DMSMS) resolutions. Lastly, there are associated costs for testing upgraded hardware to ensure form, fit, function, and capabilities. Systems include guided/unguided and powered/unpowered delivery vehicles (e.g., drones, paragliders), and kinetic/non-kinetic palletized effects systems. The FY2026 request was reduced by $0.094 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 funding request will continue to support potential DMS and obsolescence solutions, to include if optimal, life of type buys or bridge buys limited to the program of record quantity. Funding for this exhibit contained in program element 0208006F.
Justification
Justification — Mission Planning Systems
1. Mission Planning Systems (MPS) HARDWARE: Equips U.S. Air Force (USAF) operational flying units with hardware, software, warranties, and other services required to perform mission planning and integrate information with aircraft data transfer device systems. Aircraft supported include: Air Combat Command (ACC): F-15, F-16, F-22, F-35, A-10, E-3, E-4, E-7, RC/OC-135, HH-60, HC-130, EC-130, U-2, RQ-4 Air Mobility Command (AMC): C-5, C-17, C-130, KC-10, KC-135, KC-46 Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC): B-1, B-2, B-21, B-52, UH-1 Air Education and Training Command (AETC): T-38, T-7A, T-1, T-6 Procurement includes, but is not limited to, commercial-based Personal Computers (PCs) such as desktop computers, laptops, tablets, printers, storage devices, servers, displays, peripherals, software, software licenses, and support services. The program leverages advances in technology to enable high-end computing on smaller, more mission-oriented devices that provide sufficient processing power and memory to meet the demands of modern mission planning. All equipment will be centrally managed and distributed by the Mission Planning Systems Support Facility (MPSSF) and the Defense Logistics Agency. 2. Joint Precision Airdrop System (JPADS) enables precision airdrop for logistical resupply and the delivery of diverse payloads. These payloads include kinetic effects, such as guided missiles capable of navigating to designated coordinates, and non-kinetic effects like sensors, communication nodes, and jammers, which rely on gravity for deployment. Key hardware components for procurement include Antenna Control Units (ACUs), Ultra High Frequency Receivers (UHFs), Modular Air Guidance Units (MAGUs), and dropsondes. JPADS delivers cargo accurately using ACUs and UHFs for guidance and communication, while MAGUs steer cargo precisely with onboard intelligence. Dropsondes provide real-time weather data, enabling optimal precision. Replacement of outdated Block 3.0 (UHFs and ACUs) systems with Block 4.1 systems (each consisting of one ACU and one UHF) is required to maintain compliance with Department of Defense (DoD) standards and address parts obsolescence. Essential for precision airdrop operations, these components are designed for roll-on/roll-off functionality where they can be easily loaded and unloaded from aircraft as needed for precision airdrop operations. AMC requires 170 new systems (163 replacements and 7 spares), totaling 340 subsystems (1 ACU and 1 UHF per system), by FY2028 to replace aging equipment and ensure mission readiness for precision airdrop. The upgrade is required to keep mobility aircraft equipped with reliable, repairable, and compliant equipment for precision airdrop capabilities. Costs for ACUs and UHFs average $40 thousand and $120 thousand per unit respectively. Cost increases each year are driven by rising production costs and parts obsolescence. The requested funding for FY2026 will support the ongoing modernization and readiness of our airdrop capabilities. Upgrading to Block 4.1 JPADS systems (ACUs and UHFs) is necessary to ensure our aircraft can continue to perform these vital missions in compliance with Military Standard (MIL-STD)-810H and MIL-STD-704F requirements, and Operational Safety, Suitability, and Effectiveness (OSS&E) requirements in Air Force Materiel Command Instruction (AFMCI) 63-1201. Additionally, FY2026 funding will procure essential JPADS hardware to sustain operational readiness. To ensure successful fielding and system execution, the following items are also required: systems required for prototyping, testing, evaluation, demonstrations; portable data storage units; engineering/technical support; equipment storage; associated hardware warranties; and components for technical refreshes and Diminishing Manufacturing Source & Material Shortage (DMSMS) resolutions. Lastly, there are associated costs for testing upgraded hardware to ensure form, fit, function, and capabilities. Systems include guided/unguided and powered/unpowered delivery vehicles (e.g., drones, paragliders), and kinetic/non-kinetic palletized effects systems. 3. PROGRAM SUPPORT COSTS: FY2026 funding provides program office, engineering, and other contractor support for the MPS and JPADS procurement program.
Budget Line Items(workbook-cited)
Exhibit P-1
| Account | Org | Type | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other Procurement, Air Force | F | FY24 Actuals | $14.3M |
| Other Procurement, Air Force | F | FY25 Enacted | $18.5M |
| Other Procurement, Air Force | F | FY26 Disc. Request | $18.7M |
| Other Procurement, Air Force | F | FY26 Total | $18.7M |
Budget Details(R-2/P-40 facts)
| Project | FY24 Actuals | FY25 Total | FY26 Base | FY26 Request |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program Element | $14.3M | $18.5M | $18.7M | $18.7M |
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? →