# Project 675212 — MQ-9 SLAM

**Program element:** 0205219F — MQ-9 UAV  
**Project:** 675212  
**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/675212  
**Parent:** https://hitchintel.com/programs/0205219F

## Summary

Project 675212 — MQ-9 SLAM requests $16.7M in FY2027, 100% of the $16.7M requested for program element 0205219F, down 48% on FY2026. 2 R-2A activities decompose the request. GA-ASI is the largest named R-3 performer at $10.2M, 61% of the project's FY2027 R-3 total.

## Funding profile

| Fiscal Year | Estimate Type | Amount ($M) |
|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | Actual | 0.0 |
| FY2026 | Enacted | 32.3 |
| 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. This project is one leaf of PE 0205219F; the PE total is the sum of its projects, never added to them.

## What project 675212 buys

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.

**R-3 lines of work:** Product Development; Test and Evaluation; Management Services.

## Named R-3 performers

| Performer | $M | Share of this project's FY2027 R-3 total |
|---|---|---|
| GA-ASI | 10.2 | 61% |

> Budget-justification contract funding, not obligations. Shares need not reach 100% — unnamed and government work is in the denominator.

## Activities (R-2A) — 2

| Activity | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 | Move | Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MQ-9 SLAM | 0.0 | 25.2 | 11.4 | −55% | [a0](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0205219F/675212/a0) |
| Test Support | 0.0 | 7.1 | 5.3 | −25% | — |

> Activities carry the prior, current and budget year only — no five-year plan. In the request year they partition this project exactly; in earlier years they can under-cover it.

### MQ-9 SLAM

In FY2027 MQ-9 SLAM will continue development and integration of the following capabilities: •Operational Flight Plan (OFP) releases •Potential C2 resiliency efforts which include Proliferated Low Earth Orbit (PLEO) •Potential DMS issues

Full year-by-year narrative: https://hitchintel.com/programs/0205219F/675212/a0

### Test Support

**FY2027 planned work.** In FY2027 test support will continue to provide government agencies support for MQ-9 testing to include acceptance testing of weapon system hardware/software in accordance with contract standards, developmental testing of new capabilities, and R&M improvements. FY2027 accomplishments include: •Test planning and initial integration test will continue for next OFP release in the cycle •Pilot Sensor Operator (PSO) and Det 3 Test Support Requirements may change based on actual execution and evolving mission needs.

**FY2026 to FY2027 change.** FY26 Test Support was higher than normal due to a contract claim settlement on our test support contract. FY27 test support is at normal operating levels.

**FY2026 plans — current year.** In FY2026 test support will continue to provide government agencies support for MQ-9 testing to include acceptance testing of weapon system hardware/software in accordance with contract standards, developmental testing of new capabilities, and R&M improvements. FY2026 accomplishments include: •Test planning and initial integration test will continue for next OFP release in the cycle •Pilot Sensor Operator (PSO) and Det 3 Test Support Requirements may change based on actual execution and evolving mission needs.

## What is NOT on this page

Congressional marks, the R-2 mission description and acquisition strategy, the industry vs government split of the whole request, and related program elements are recorded at **program-element** grain — an NDAA mark lands on a PE, never on a project. They are at https://hitchintel.com/programs/0205219F.

## Source & machine access

- **Source:** FY2027 Department of the Air Force RDT&E Budget Justification, Exhibits R-2/R-2A/R-3, PE 0205219F project 675212 (PB PB2027).
- **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.*