# High Frequency Radio Systems — Program Element 0303133F

**Program element:** 0303133F  
**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/0303133F

## Summary

U.S. Air Force funding ramps 69% to a $33.2M request in FY2027 — the program's peak, before stepping down 42% across the five-year plan. In the FY2027 defense authorization, the House funded it in full; the Senate funded it in full; House appropriators funded it in full. AFLCMC/C3N leads the industry work.

## Funding profile

| Fiscal Year | Estimate Type | Amount ($M) |
|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | Actual | 8.4 |
| FY2026 | Enacted | 19.7 |
| FY2027 | Request | 33.2 |
| FY2028 | Outyear | 17.9 |
| FY2029 | Outyear | 18.7 |
| FY2030 | Outyear | 18.9 |
| FY2031 | Outyear | 19.2 |

> 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 | 33.2 | — |
| House NDAA (HASC) | 33.2 | +0.0 |
| Senate NDAA (SASC) | 33.2 | +0.0 |
| House Approps (HAC-D) | 33.2 | +0.0 |

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

## Projects (1)

| Project | Title | FY2025 actual | FY2026 enacted | FY2027 request | Move |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 675046 | Systems Engineering & Integration | 8.4 | 19.7 | 33.2 | +69% |

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

### Project 675046 — Systems Engineering & Integration

This program element funds the Airborne High Frequency Radio Modernization (AHFRM) program to address the obsolescence of the legacy AN/ARC-190 High Frequency (HF) radio system, which is currently installed on over a thousand aircraft. Production of the AN/ARC-190 HF radio ceased in 2018, and the system is becoming unsustainable due to a diminishing supply of spare parts, with assets falling below supply chain thresholds by late 2027. The program is developing a replacement modern, software-defined radio, designated as the AN/ARC-260. This development ensures the continuity of high-frequency communication capabilities for a wide range of mission-essential aircraft without requiring costly airframe modifications. This modernization is mission critical because HF radio capability provides resilient and survivable communications, especially in environments where satellite communications are denied, contested, or unavailable. It is an essential alternative for beyond-line-of-sight command and control (C2), enabling strategic communication, the transmission of critical force direction messaging, and routine Air Traffic Control (ATC) during long-range and oversea flights. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations also mandate HF radio capability for aircraft to fly outside the continental United States. Failure to modernize these radios would result in the loss of critical C2 pathways and could lead to the grounding of aircraft, severely impacting mission readiness and operational availability. The AHFRM program directly supports a diverse fleet of approximately 1,300 aircraft within the U.S. Air Force, Navy, and Coast Guard. This includes strategic bombers like the B-1 and B-52; mobility platforms such as the C-5, C-17, C-130, and KC-135; and various special mission aircraft. The new AN/ARC-260 system introduces significant technological advancements, including digital voice, high-speed data and text messaging, and an open architecture that allows for rapid software upgrades and the insertion of new capabilities. This modular and expandable design ensures the system can adapt to future requirements, such as advanced waveforms and enhanced security, guaranteeing long-term sustainability and interoperability across joint forces.

**Named R-3 performers** (share of this project's FY2027 R-3 total, so they need not reach 100%)**:** AFLCMC/C3N (33.2, 100%).

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airborne High Frequency Radio Modernization (AHFRM) | 8.4 | 19.7 | 33.2 |

> 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 | 100% | 33.2 |

**Top named industry performers:** AFLCMC/C3N ($33.2M, 100%).

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

## Mission & acquisition strategy

This program element funds the Airborne High Frequency Radio Modernization (AHFRM) program to address the obsolescence of the legacy AN/ARC-190 High Frequency (HF) radio system, which is currently installed on over a thousand aircraft. Production of the AN/ARC-190 HF radio ceased in 2018, and the system is becoming unsustainable due to a diminishing supply of spare parts, with assets falling below supply chain thresholds by late 2027. The program is developing a replacement modern, software-defined radio, designated as the AN/ARC-260.

The Service Acquisition Executive (SAE) designated the AHFRM program a Middle Tier of Acquisition (MTA) Rapid Prototyping effort on 4 Sep 2018. To date, the program completed a competitive rapid prototyping effort and awarded the AN/ARC-260 HF radio development contract to BAE Systems in Dec 2021. The AHFRM program transitioned to a Major Capability Acquisition (MCA) Acquisition Category III (ACAT III) program in April 2024 to finish development and testing prior to fielding and in addition to antenna coupler spiral development. The Milestone Decision Authority for the program is the Combat Avionics Division Senior Material Leader-AFLCMC/ESC. Program management for the AHFRM program is located at Warner Robins Air Force Base (AFB), Georgia.

## Related program elements

- [0603712S — Logistics Research and Development Technology (Log R&D)](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0603712S) (Defense-Wide)
- [0603208N — Training System Aircraft](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0603208N) (Navy)
- [0605035A — Common Infrared Countermeasures (CIRCM)](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0605035A) (Army)
- [0603180C — Advanced Research](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0603180C) (Defense-Wide)

## Source & machine access

- **Source:** FY2027 Department of the Air Force RDT&E Budget Justification, Exhibits R-2/R-3, PE 0303133F (PB PB2027); FY2027 NDAA committee marks (as of 2026-07-27).
- **MCP:** `mcp.hitchintel.com` — `budget_get_program_element(pe="0303133F")`.

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