# RBA Development

**R-2A activity** of project 3097 — W-93 / Mk 7  
**Program element:** 0101221N — Strategic Sub & Wpns Sys Supt  
**Component:** U.S. Navy · **Budget Activity:** 7  
**Vintage:** President's Budget PB2027  
**Canonical URL:** https://hitchintel.com/programs/0101221N/3097/a0  
**Parent:** https://hitchintel.com/programs/0101221N/3097

## Summary

This activity requests $434.2M in FY2027, 52% of project 3097, up 21% on FY2026. The R-2A exhibit describes it across FY2026–FY2027, including what the FY2027 money is planned to buy.

## What the FY2027 request buys

**FY2027 planned work.** - Prepare for the execution of FCET-10 (FY 2028) and FCET-11 (FY 2029) developmental flight test programs, encompassing hardware manufacturing and test execution readiness activities. - Complete Gen 5 hardware manufacturing, begin Gen 6 development manufacturing, and initiate Gen 7 conceptual design for FCET-11 testing. - Revise and release the Physical and Functional Interface Control Documents while concluding component testing in relevant environments. - Conduct comprehensive ground testing program with 10 tests including normal environment, missile integration, compatibility, and providing hardware and supporting DOE hydrodynamic tests. - Develop Navy component ground testing activities for both improving manufacturing ramps and assessing generational design changes. - Build Mk7 flight test body for FY 2028 flight and begin manufacturing activities for 2 additional flight test bodies for FY 2029. - Complete design documentation release including drawings, software development, script testing, and procurement/build initiation. - Develop and manufacture support equipment required to support flight testing, ground testing, training, and Strategic Weapons Facility (SWF) operations. - Execute integration engineering support for all variants of the SWS. - Ramp up the manufacturing of Mk7 aeroshells to support test and qualification hardware requirements, while also developing and proving the vendor's industrial capacity. - Procure additional machines to increase aeroshell machining capacity at Valley Forge. - Execute aeroshell design maturation including aerothermal testing, manufacturing process development, and alternate Thermal Protection System (TPS) materials qualification. - Qualify alternate suppliers and materials including constituent suppliers, Fiber Materials Inc. (FMI) antenna window fabrication facility, and material specification updates. - Additional advanced manufacturing hardware required to augment the existing Shape Stable Nosetip (SSNT) production line. This capital investment will scale manufacturing throughput and enhance quality assurance capabilities to satisfy all programmatic requirements and delivery milestones to meet Navy needs.

**FY2026 to FY2027 change.** The requested funding increase of $74.811 million is required for the program's transition from Phase 2A (Design Definition & Cost Study) to Phase 3 (Development Engineering). This critical phase requires the simultaneous execution of multiple flight and ground testing programs alongside a significant ramp-up of manufacturing capabilities to support testing. Specifically, this funding will support preparations for the FCET-10 and FCET-11 flight tests by completing Gen 5 hardware manufacturing while beginning Gen 6 development and Gen 7 conceptual design. A comprehensive ground testing program will be conducted, and manufacturing will be scaled up for Mk7 flight test bodies and aeroshells, necessitating the procurement of additional machines. This FY27 investment is critical for enabling pre-test support for major flight tests in FY28 and FY29 and preparing for sub-component design reviews. Additional details are held at a higher classification level.

## Before the request year

**FY2026 plans — current year.** - Execute the inaugural flight test on FCET-8, a critical milestone in the W93/Mk7 program. - Manufacturing, assembly, and integration and testing of RBA for FCET-9 flight test in FY 2027. - Support DOE design reviews. - Transition of government-furnished items to Lockheed Martin (LM) subcontracts. - Manufacturing ramp to produce higher quantities of development hardware. - Preparations for upcoming ground testing activities. - Gather essential performance data under realistic flight conditions to validate design assumptions. - Assess the RBA's functionality and identify areas for refinement based on observed flight behavior. - Aggressively pursue Phase 2A deliverables, focusing on risk reduction and technology maturation. - Conduct detailed analyses and simulations to solidify the RBA design and address challenges. - Prepare comprehensive documentation and presentations to demonstrate readiness for Phase 3 entrance. - Initiate the next design revision, incorporating lessons learned from testing, analyses, and simulations. - Focus on optimizing the RBA for improved performance, reliability, and manufacturability. - Implement design changes based on evolving requirements and technological advancements. - Continue manufacturing and assembly for follow on flight tests and begin design activities for follow on flight tests. - Conduct ground tests to continue design maturation.

## Funding

| Fiscal Year | Estimate Type | Amount ($M) |
|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | Actual | 146.7 |
| FY2026 | Enacted | 359.4 |
| FY2027 | Request | 434.2 |

> Prior, current and budget year only — an R-2A activity carries no five-year plan. It sums exactly into its project in the request year and not necessarily in any other.

## Other activities in project 3097

- [Arming and Fuzing Development](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0101221N/3097/a1) — FY2027 279.7
- [RBA to Missile Integration Development](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0101221N/3097/a3) — FY2027 58.3
- [Strategic Weapon Integration](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0101221N/3097/a4) — FY2027 48.6
- [Fire Control Development](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0101221N/3097/a2) — FY2027 20.4

## Source & machine access

- **Source:** FY2027 Department of the Navy RDT&E Budget Justification, Exhibit R-2A, PE 0101221N project 3097 (PB PB2027). Narrative is the government's own text.
- **No marks, no contractors at this grain** — congressional marks land on the program element and R-3 performers on the project.
- **MCP:** `mcp.hitchintel.com` — `budget_get_activity`.

*HitchAI is an independent intelligence service, not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Defense. Budget figures are requests/estimates, not obligations.*