# MQ-9 UAV — Program Element 0205219F

**Program element:** 0205219F  
**Component:** U.S. Air Force  
**Appropriation:** 3600 — RDT&E, Air Force  
**Budget Activity:** 7 — Operational System Development  
**Vintage:** President's Budget PB2027  
**Canonical URL:** https://hitchintel.com/programs/0205219F

## Summary

U.S. Air Force funding falls 49% to a $16.7M request in FY2027 (down from a FY2026 peak), with nothing planned by FY2031. In the FY2027 defense authorization, the House funded it in full; the Senate funded it in full; House appropriators funded it in full. GA-ASI leads the industry work.

## Funding profile

| Fiscal Year | Estimate Type | Amount ($M) |
|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | Actual | 6.8 |
| FY2026 | Enacted | 32.6 |
| FY2027 | Request | 16.7 |
| FY2028 | Outyear | 0.0 |
| FY2029 | Outyear | 0.0 |
| FY2030 | Outyear | 0.0 |
| FY2031 | Outyear | 0.0 |

> Estimate types are not summed — the profile mixes actuals, enacted law, the request, and outyear projections.

## Congressional marks (FY2027)

| Stage | Marked ($M) | Change ($M) |
|---|---|---|
| Request | 16.7 | — |
| House NDAA (HASC) | 16.7 | +0.0 |
| Senate NDAA (SASC) | 16.7 | +0.0 |
| House Approps (HAC-D) | 16.7 | +0.0 |

> FY2027 NDAA authorization marks, as of 2026-07-27. Not appropriations or final law.

## Projects (3)

| Project | Title | FY2025 actual | FY2026 enacted | FY2027 request | Move |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 675212 | MQ-9 SLAM | 0.0 | 32.3 | 16.7 | −48% |
| 675247 | Squadron Operations Centers (SOC) | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | −100% |
| 675249 | MQ-9 Upgrade | 6.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | — |

> Projects are the summable leaves: the program element total is their sum, never added to it.

### Project 675212 — MQ-9 SLAM

The MQ-9 System Lifecycle Agile Modernization (SLAM) Program enables rapid fielding of new software, hardware, and integration for the MQ-9 fleet to meet evolving mission needs. The objective is to rapidly field new software, hardware, and sustainability improvements into the MQ-9 fleet, addressing requirements from the Combat Capability List (CCL). These requirements include but are not limited to: MQ-9 Multi-Domain Operations (M2DO); streamlining system configurations; performing technology upgrades; enhancing pilot awareness and usability; improving reconnaissance, targeting, and exploitation capabilities; expanding weapons system selection and lethality; increasing suitability for diverse operational theaters; improving security and self-protection measures; reducing the logistics footprint; providing warfighter training; concept exploration; Diminishing Manufacturing Source (DMS); and developing prototypes. MQ-9 is currently supporting Joint Urgent Operational Need (JUON) CC-0575, CC-0578, and EC-0020. M2DO configuration consists of Anti-Jamming GPS, Enhanced Power, Link 16, Open Mission System (OMS) (to include Stellar Relay and Intelligent Electronics Unit (iEU)), and Command and Control (C2) Resiliency to maintain its viability in modern conflict. In the FY2025 PB there was a database error which incorrectly placed the entire budget of $6.581M in the MQ-9 Upgrade BPAC (675249). The Air Force will execute the FY2025 budget out of both the MQ-9 Upgrade BPAC (675249) and the MQ-9 SLAM BPAC (675212). This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver weapon system capability. The use of such program funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program element 0605829F, 0605831F, 0605833F, or 0605898F.

**Named R-3 performers** (share of this project's FY2027 R-3 total, so they need not reach 100%)**:** GA-ASI (10.2, 61%).

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| MQ-9 SLAM | 0.0 | 25.2 | 11.4 |
| Test Support | 0.0 | 7.1 | 5.3 |

> R-2A activities carry the prior, current and budget year only — no five-year plan. Coverage is partial, so count them, never total them.

### Project 675247 — Squadron Operations Centers (SOC)

The SOC is required to employ Remote Split Operations (RSO). It provides the communications, network, aircraft control and sensor distribution circuits to effectively execute RSO missions. The SOC provides CONUS-based aircrews mission data, tasking, and ability to disseminate and exchange mission data with decision-makers and intelligence entities. This effort defines component standards, develops, and integrates new technologies to maintain currency with technological and platform advancements. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver weapon system capability. The use of such programs funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program element 0605827F, 0605828F, 0605829F, 0605831F, 0605832F, 0605833F, 0605898F, 0606398F.

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Squadron Operations Center | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 |

> R-2A activities carry the prior, current and budget year only — no five-year plan. Coverage is partial, so count them, never total them.

### Project 675249 — MQ-9 Upgrade

The MQ-9 Upgrade Program delivers new software, hardware, and integrations to the MQ-9 fleet to keep pace with changing mission demands. The goal is to introduce improvements in software, hardware, and sustainability, addressing requirements outlined in the Combat Capability List (CCL). These requirements encompass a wide range of areas, including MQ-9 Multi-Domain Operations (M2DO), simplified system configurations, technology upgrades, enhanced pilot awareness, improved reconnaissance and targeting, expanded weapon options, increased adaptability to different environments, better security, reduced logistical burden, warfighter training, and addressing parts obsolescence. The MQ-9 program is currently supporting Joint Urgent Operational Needs requests CC-0575, CC-0578, and EC-0020. M2DO configuration consists of Anti-Jamming GPS, Enhanced Power, Link 16, Open Mission System (OMS) (to include Stellar Relay and Intelligent Electronics Unit (iEU)), and Command and Control (C2) Resiliency to maintain its viability in modern conflict. In the FY2025 PB there was a database error which incorrectly placed the entire budget of $6.581M in the MQ-9 Upgrade BPAC (675249). The Air Force will execute the FY2025 budget out of both the MQ-9 Upgrade BPAC (675249) and the MQ-9 SLAM BPAC (675212). FY2025 was rescinded $1.700M and is not reflected in this budget documentation. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver weapon system capability. The use of such program funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program element 0605829F, 0605831F, 0605833F, or 0605898F.

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| MQ-9 Upgrade | 3.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Test Support | 3.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |

> R-2A activities carry the prior, current and budget year only — no five-year plan. Coverage is partial, so count them, never total them.

## Where the FY2027 request goes

| Category | Share | $M |
|---|---|---|
| Industry primes | 61% | 10.2 |
| Other / unspecified | 39% | 6.5 |

**Top named industry performers:** GA-ASI ($10.2M, 61%).

> R-3 exhibit contract funding, not USAspending obligations.

## Mission & acquisition strategy

The MQ-9 Reaper system is a modular and adaptable system comprised of the Aircraft, sensors, Ground Control Station (GCS), kill chain integration, communications equipment, weapon kits, support equipment, simulator and training devices, Readiness Spares Packages (RSP), technical data/training, and required personnel to operate, maintain, and sustain the system. Mission-specific equipment is employed to allow specific aircraft and GCS configurations to be tailored to fit mission needs. Current President's Budget request supports 56 Combat Lines to meet DoD force offering requirements to combat threats.

Acquisition of MQ-9 Upgrade is accomplished via sole-source contracts with General Atomics-ASI, Raytheon, and L-3 Communications, prime contractors, and Other Government Agencies. Management of development and fielding of new capabilities will be through an Agile Acquisition Strategy that combines the rigor of an event driven development process (referred to as a Technology Maturation Effort (TME)) with the expedited delivery of a schedule driven integration and fielding process. This will allow continued baseline improvements while rapidly integrating limited urgent needs fleet-wide.

## Related program elements

- [0605812A — Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) Engineering and Manufacturing Development Phase (EMD)](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0605812A) (Army)
- [0604530N — Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG)](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0604530N) (Navy)
- [0604797D8Z — Joint Energetics Transition Office (JETO)](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0604797D8Z) (Defense-Wide)
- [0604123D8Z — Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Officer (CDAO) - Dem/Val Activities](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0604123D8Z) (Defense-Wide)

## Source & machine access

- **Source:** FY2027 Department of the Air Force RDT&E Budget Justification, Exhibits R-2/R-3, PE 0205219F (PB PB2027); FY2027 NDAA committee marks (as of 2026-07-27).
- **MCP:** `mcp.hitchintel.com` — `budget_get_program_element(pe="0205219F")`.

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