# Airborne SIGINT Enterprise — Program Element 0304260F

**Program element:** 0304260F  
**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/0304260F

## Summary

U.S. Air Force requests $98.3M in FY2027 (down from a FY2026 peak). In the FY2027 defense authorization, the House funded it in full; the Senate funded it in full; House appropriators funded it in full. L3Harris leads the industry work.

## Funding profile

| Fiscal Year | Estimate Type | Amount ($M) |
|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | Actual | 92.5 |
| FY2026 | Enacted | 98.7 |
| FY2027 | Request | 98.3 |
| FY2028 | Outyear | 88.1 |
| FY2029 | Outyear | 65.8 |
| FY2030 | Outyear | 70.2 |
| FY2031 | Outyear | 60.7 |

> 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 | 98.3 | — |
| House NDAA (HASC) | 98.3 | +0.0 |
| Senate NDAA (SASC) | 98.3 | +0.0 |
| House Approps (HAC-D) | 98.3 | +0.0 |

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

## Projects (4)

| Project | Title | FY2025 actual | FY2026 enacted | FY2027 request | Move |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 675183 | Common Development (Airborne SIGINT Development - Common Development) | 30.5 | 30.3 | 55.0 | +81% |
| 675180 | RC-135 (Airborne SIGINT Development - RC-135 Rivet Joint) | 41.9 | 41.9 | 28.6 | −32% |
| 675185 | COMPASS BRIGHT | 9.7 | 9.9 | 8.9 | −10% |
| 675186 | Special Programs (Airborne SIGINT Development - Special Platforms) | 10.3 | 16.5 | 5.8 | −65% |

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

### Project 675183 — Common Development (Airborne SIGINT Development - Common Development)

The Common Development project supports airborne SIGINT design studies, engineering analysis, non-recurring engineering (NRE), program management, risk reduction, and other efforts to field SIGINT sensors and their associated air and ground components. The Common Development project also supports the development and integration of new sensor capabilities, quick reaction capabilities, and capabilities to address emerging needs as identified by the SIGINT Capabilities Working Group (SCWG). Finally, the Common Development project supports replacement components affected by Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages (DMSMS). Future SIGINT sensors are being developed through the implementation of open architecture (OA) concepts that enable the rapid integration of new signals of interests. Future SIGINT sensor efforts will address needs identified in the ISR Planning and Programing Guidance (IP2G) in order to sustain SIGINT operations in a highly contested environment. The efforts include, but are not limited to, demonstrating the Phoenix OA software on a CI-6 family of systems sensor on a current USAF platform with USAF ground station integration (e.g. Distributed Common Ground System (DCGS)); conducting CI-6 family of systems sensor improvements through Phoenix OA software; expanding Phoenix OA software beyond the CI-6 family of systems; developing Low-Cost UAS Sensor Technology (LOCUST) for inclusion into small UAS; and furthering the development of CRESTONE to counter emerging threats. This project also addresses ACC Tier 1 and 2 exploitation needs by hosting signals of interest exploitation software on scalable SIGINT sensors to support rapid deployment on a variety of USAF platforms by developing NORTHSTAR. This project will develop RANGERS to further miniaturize the form-factor of tactical aircraft roll-on/roll-off collection systems. This project also supports overarching Airborne SIGINT Enterprise (ASE) common development to include, but not limited to SIGINT modeling and simulation efforts and technology development and risk reduction through the Air Force Research Lab managed Open Architecture Technology Lab (OATL). Capability improvements needed to exploit service identified signals of interest will be identified as priorities by the SCWG. This project provides the warfighter increased SIGINT combat capability via rapid acquisition.

**Named R-3 performers** (share of this project's FY2027 R-3 total, so they need not reach 100%)**:** L3Harris (17.1, 31%), BAE Systems (14.0, 25%).

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Common SIGINT Development | 30.5 | 30.3 | 37.9 |
| RC-135 SIGINT Development | 0.0 | 0.0 | 17.1 |

> 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 675180 — RC-135 (Airborne SIGINT Development - RC-135 Rivet Joint)

This project supports design, engineering analysis, non-recurring engineering, development, test, and integration of RC-135 SIGINT sensor capabilities and their associated air and ground components. By extensively utilizing commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) based solutions to field needed capabilities, this project must continuously identify suitable replacements for components affected by Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and integrate with the COTS technology cycle. These efforts provide required engineering for preliminary assessments of technical feasibility, operability, or military utility as well as specific engineering implementations integrated into the various baseline modifications. Funding also supports innovation activities to include studies, analyses, requirements definition, and quick-reaction capability prototypes/demonstrations to accelerate planning for technology transition, technology insertion and future acquisition programs. These funds will be disbursed among the RC-135V/W RIVET JOINT, the RC-135U COMBAT SENT, and the RC-135S COBRA BALL programs. Funding reflects the SIGINT Capabilities Working Group (SCWG) priorities and the accomplishment of other Airborne SIGINT Enterprise initiatives.

**Named R-3 performers** (share of this project's FY2027 R-3 total, so they need not reach 100%)**:** L3Harris (28.6, 100%).

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| RC-135 SIGINT Development | 41.9 | 41.9 | 28.6 |

> 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 675185 — COMPASS BRIGHT

The COMPASS BRIGHT project develops Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) and Radio Frequency Measurement and Signature Intelligence (MASINT) capabilities for transition to Department ISR systems. COMPASS BIGHT pursues SIGINT technologies for project transition, to include Communications Intelligence (COMINT), Electronic Intelligence (ELINT), Audio, Analytics, and Special Signals of Interest. COMPASS BRIGHT will pursue multi-INT cross-cue and fusion capabilities from other disciplines such as Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) in order to create a holistic ISR picture for the warfighter and the Intelligence Community (IC). COMPASS BRIGHT projects are selected through an annual data call process whereby the SIGINT Capabilities Working Group (SCWG) evaluates proposals from the laboratories, systems, and classified mission partners. The program office authority extends to accomplishment of out-of-cycle COMPASS BRIGHT efforts. These tasks may be filtered through the SCWG outside the normal vetting process to expedite acquisition of capabilities for the warfighter.

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| COMPASS BRIGHT Tech Development | 9.7 | 9.9 | 6.0 |
| SIGINT Development | 0.0 | 0.0 | 2.9 |

> 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 675186 — Special Programs (Airborne SIGINT Development - Special Platforms)

This project supports special SIGINT studies as well as the development and integration of advanced SIGINT capabilities for special programs including, but not limited to: quick reaction capability sensors, processing, exploitation, and dissemination associated with these systems, and other efforts approved by the USAF SIGINT Capabilities Working Group (SCWG). Development efforts will include, but are not limited to: new signal sets, antenna improvements, sensitivity upgrades, data distribution upgrades, and new/advanced deployment capabilities. This project provides the warfighter near term combat capabilities with increased capability improvements, accomplished as technologies and risks achieve satisfactory levels. Sensors will be integrated and tested on various platforms including the MQ-9A Unmanned Aerial System.

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| SIGINT Development | 10.3 | 8.5 | 5.8 |

> 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% | 59.7 |
| Government labs & warfare centers | 16% | 15.4 |
| Other / unspecified | 24% | 23.2 |

**Top named industry performers:** L3Harris ($45.7M, 47%), BAE Systems ($14.0M, 14%).

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

## Mission & acquisition strategy

The Common Development project supports airborne SIGINT design studies, engineering analysis, non-recurring engineering (NRE), program management, risk reduction, and other efforts to field SIGINT sensors and their associated air and ground components. The Common Development project also supports the development and integration of new sensor capabilities, quick reaction capabilities, and capabilities to address emerging needs as identified by the SIGINT Capabilities Working Group (SCWG). Finally, the Common Development project supports replacement components affected by Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages (DMSMS).

Air Force Life Cycle Management Center/Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance and Special Operations Forces Directorate (AFLCMC/WI) will execute COMPASS BRIGHT efforts through technology maturation contracts. COMPASS BRIGHT leverages existing relationships with mission partners to mature SIGINT and MASINT technology for ASE. On an annual basis, the SIGINT Capabilities Working Group (SCWG) reviews developmental technologies against warfighter capabilities and requirements based on strategic roadmaps. SIGINT and MASINT proposals are evaluated and prioritized into a recommended list for senior executive direction to implement for the coming fiscal year.

## Related program elements

- [0604233F — Specialized Undergraduate Flight Training](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0604233F) (Air Force)
- [0101126F — B-1B Squadrons](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0101126F) (Air Force)
- [0603923D8Z — Coalition Warfare Program (CWP)](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0603923D8Z) (Defense-Wide)
- [0605310D8Z — Military Aviation and Installation Assurance Siting Clearinghouse](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0605310D8Z) (Defense-Wide)

## Source & machine access

- **Source:** FY2027 Department of the Air Force RDT&E Budget Justification, Exhibits R-2/R-3, PE 0304260F (PB PB2027); FY2027 NDAA committee marks (as of 2026-07-27).
- **MCP:** `mcp.hitchintel.com` — `budget_get_program_element(pe="0304260F")`.

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