# ISR & INFO Operations — Program Element 0304785N

**Program element:** 0304785N  
**Component:** U.S. Navy  
**Appropriation:** 1319 — RDT&E, Navy  
**Budget Activity:** 5 — System Development & Demonstration  
**Vintage:** President's Budget PB2027  
**Canonical URL:** https://hitchintel.com/programs/0304785N

## Summary

U.S. Navy funding ramps 55% to a $274.5M request in FY2027 — the program's peak. In the FY2027 defense authorization, the House funded it in full; the Senate funded it in full; House appropriators cut 7.5% (to $254.0M). NIWC PAC leads the industry work.

## Funding profile

| Fiscal Year | Estimate Type | Amount ($M) |
|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | Actual | 188.4 |
| FY2026 | Enacted | 177.6 |
| FY2027 | Request | 274.5 |
| FY2028 | Outyear | 233.3 |
| FY2029 | Outyear | 232.6 |
| FY2030 | Outyear | 211.8 |
| FY2031 | Outyear | 213.0 |

> 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 | 274.5 | — |
| House NDAA (HASC) | 274.5 | +0.0 |
| Senate NDAA (SASC) | 274.5 | +0.0 |
| House Approps (HAC-D) | 254.0 | −20.5 |

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

## Projects (8)

| Project | Title | FY2025 actual | FY2026 enacted | FY2027 request | Move |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2134 | Shipboard IW Exploit | 121.0 | 135.6 | 214.2 | +58% |
| 3786 | Tactical Edge Targeting | 22.4 | 18.8 | 25.5 | +36% |
| 2227 | Distributed Common Ground System (DCGS-N) Inc 2 | 29.5 | 1.7 | 20.9 | +1139% |
| 3091 | Advanced Cryptological Sys Eng (CCOP) | 8.0 | 7.1 | 7.3 | +2% |
| 2363 | Remote Sensing Capability Development | 3.8 | 3.6 | 3.3 | −8% |
| 2351 | MDA | 3.0 | 3.0 | 2.7 | −12% |
| 2174 | Intelligence Carry-On Program (ICOP) | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.6 | −9% |
| 9999 | Congressional Adds | 0.0 | 7.0 | 0.0 | −100% |

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

### Project 2134 — Shipboard IW Exploit

The Shipboard Information Warfare (IW) Exploit project consists of the Ship's Signal Exploitation Equipment (SSEE) Increment F (and variants), SSEE Modifications, Spectral, Integrated Communications and Data Systems (ICADS) Increment II, ICADS Increment III, Horizon, Distributed Operations (DO), Pacific Fleet (PACFLT) Urgent Operational Need (UON), and Advanced Information Warfare Antennas (AIWA). SSEE Increment F (and its variants) is the primary, currently fielded system providing full-scope, simultaneous capability, while system variants bring a new dimension of afloat Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) capabilities with advanced scalability and modularity for mission planners to execute. SSEE Modifications is a classified tactical signals intelligence frequency extension capability integrated with the SSEE Increment F host system and is broken into two major components: Paragon, which provides simultaneous detection, collection, processing, IO, and display of communication intelligence data from hostile, high threat, and adversary platforms in select frequency ranges not prosecuted or countered with the host system; and the Graywing subsystem which is an advanced common data link with SSEE Increment F systems. Spectral is the Navy's next-generation SIGINT, EMW, and IO weapons system enabling both maritime IW/EW for both Naval Carrier and Expeditionary Strike Group operations. Spectral's primary objective is to provide our Navy's operators with the most capable Radio Frequency (RF) SIGINT collection and exploitation weapons system available to support the widest range of maritime strategic and tactical mission areas, including I&W, targeting, and ship's self defense. Spectral provides scalable, mission configurable, and modular capabilities using a common user interface through an open software architecture to allow rapid integration and deployment of special use capabilities satisfying Navy and Joint maritime intelligence requirements beyond what existing systems can provide. The Advanced IW Antenna (AIWA) program will develop and procure antennas to enable needed/relevant maritime and surface Information Operations (e.g., Electronic Warfare (EW), Electronic Attack (EA), Signals Intelligence (SIGINT)) for Ship's Signal Exploitation Equipment (SSEE) Increment F and Modifications, Spectral, and other IW programs held at higher classification.

**Named R-3 performers** (share of this project's FY2027 R-3 total, so they need not reach 100%)**:** NIWC PAC (7.7, 3.6%), BAH (4.0, 1.9%), NIWC LANT/PAC (2.5, 1.2%), NRL (0.8, 0.4%).

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ship's Signal Exploitation Equipment Inc F (SSEE Inc F) | 3.5 | 4.5 | 3.7 |
| Spectral | 52.3 | 48.2 | 57.4 |
| Ship's Signal Exploitation Equipment Modifications (SSEE Modifications) | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 |
| Advanced Information Warfare (IW) Antennas | 21.6 | 20.6 | 19.2 |
| Horizon | 18.9 | 19.1 | 15.3 |
| Integrated Communications and Data Systems Increment II (ICADS Inc II) | 24.3 | 14.2 | 10.0 |
| Distributed Operations (DO) | 0.0 | 28.7 | 26.3 |
| Pacific Fleet (PACFLT) Urgent Operational Need (UON) | 0.0 | 0.0 | 81.9 |

> 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 3786 — Tactical Edge Targeting

The details of the TET project are classified SECRET and are submitted annually to Congress in the classified budget justification books.

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tactical Edge Targeting (TET) | 22.4 | 18.8 | 25.5 |

> 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 2227 — Distributed Common Ground System (DCGS-N) Inc 2

DCGS-N Inc 2 is the Navy Service component version of the DCGS Family of Systems (FoS) and is deployed on force level platforms and ashore nodes to include Maritime Operations Centers (MOCs), delivering Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Targeting (ISR&T) capabilities to the warfighter. DCGS-N Inc 2 is also a critical component of the Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) FoS, which is comprised of DCGS-N, Intelligence Carry-On Program (ICOP), Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), and Remote Sensing Capability Development (RSCD). The Programs within the ISR FoS deliver a robust suite of complimentary ISR capabilities to the Navy and Marine Corps. DCGS-N operates during peacetime, crisis, and war in afloat and shore-based operational configurations, sharing information and intelligence between the Navy, DoW, and IC. It serves as a tactical gateway to share Navy-unique sensor data (e.g., MQ-25, RAQ-35, MQ-4, and P-8, etc.) across the IC. DCGS-N will enable users to identify, locate, and confirm threats and targets using the all-source data store, support Intelligence Preparation of the Operational Environment, battle management, target nomination, and execute collection planning and requests. The program integrates this data with available Command and Control systems, weapons, combat, and Meteorological and Oceanographic forecast and sensor data. DCGS-N provides Situational Awareness via the Common Operational Picture and Common Intelligence Picture to the operational decision-maker. As a Software Acquisition Program (SWP), DCGS-N Inc 2 decomposes the validated Information Systems Capability Development Document (IS-CDD) requirements into six modular capability areas (CA), further defined in the DCGS-N Capabilities Need Statement (CNS), and implements agile development processes to incrementally deliver capability through the entire life cycle of the program. In alignment with the DCGS-N User Agreement (UA), requirements are prioritized through the DCGS-N Requirements Governance Board (DRGB). The Capability Needs Statement (CNS) is reviewed annually and scopes DCGS-N Inc 2 development priorities and inform near-term programmatic planning aligned to the program roadmap.

**Named R-3 performers** (share of this project's FY2027 R-3 total, so they need not reach 100%)**:** NAWCWD (7.7, 37%), Leidos (2.4, 12%), NIWC PAC (2.3, 11%), NIWC LANT (1.4, 6.5%).

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Distributed Common Ground System-Navy (DCGS-N) Increment 2 | 29.5 | 1.7 | 13.2 |
| Joint Targeting Intelligence Modernization/Joint Targeting Toolbox (JTIM/JTT) | 0.0 | 0.0 | 7.7 |

> 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 3091 — Advanced Cryptological Sys Eng (CCOP)

The Advanced Cryptologic Systems Engineering - Cryptologic Carry On Program (CCOP) rapidly develops and fields state-of-the-art signal acquisition capabilities in response to Combatant Command requirements to provide augmentable, quick-reaction surface cryptologic carry-on capabilities. There are approximately 120 cryptologic capable surface ships and shore sites in the current Naval inventory; each of these is a potential user of this carry-on equipment, depending on deployment schedules and the tempo of operations. In addition, there are other numerous Naval platforms (including U.S. Coast Guard, Patrol Craft and USNS) that could serve as potential users. This funding line provides resources to enable rapid transition of available Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) and Government Off -The-Shelf (GOTS) technologies to satisfy Fleet requirements with carry-on system functionalities. These technologies typically require various levels of integration to leverage on-board systems for system and mission management, product reporting, and data analysis. COTS / GOTS system documentation and training materials require adaptation or modification to meet fleet operator requirements, or entirely new training materials may need to be developed. Prior to operational deployment, systems must be systematically tested to ensure suitable and reliable operation, tested for network vulnerabilities if connected to shipboard Local Area Networks, and tested relative to interoperability requirements. Certification testing is conducted to meet Office of Naval Intelligence security requirements, and network testing is conducted in accordance with Information Technology (IT) requirements to allow connection to Navy networks. Funding will also provide resources to address rapid deployment of enhancements or improvements to the common hardware and/or software baseline of all other carry-on subsystems to meet emergent requirements.

**Named R-3 performers** (share of this project's FY2027 R-3 total, so they need not reach 100%)**:** NIWC LANT (1.4, 19%), NIWC PAC (1.2, 17%).

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced Cryptological Sys Eng - Cryptologic Carry On Program (CCOP) | 8.0 | 7.1 | 7.3 |

> 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 2363 — Remote Sensing Capability Development

The RSCD project is the Navy's flagship effort for developing and fielding maritime Artificial Intelligence (AI) / Machine Learning (ML) Automatic Target Recognition (ATR) models in support of the Top Secret / Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) SEAHORSE process. SEAHORSE addresses several Fleet Integrated Prioritized Capability Lists, Chief of Naval Operations Guidance directives, Long Range Fires, and Intelligence Community requirements. RSCD matures and fields AI/ML models designed to detect general maritime objects and specific hard targets that cannot be located by any other means. RSCD partners with the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) and the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA) to build a streamlined, cohesive end-to-end Tasking, Collections, Processing, Exploitation, and Dissemination (TCPED) process tailored to meet Navy warfighting needs. The RSCD project builds and deliverers AI/ML decision and sense-making applications to the NRO and NGA for inclusion in the National Maritime GEOINT Architecture with the end goal of accelerating the delivery of GEOINT-derived intelligence to the Fleet. FY2027 activities will continue AI/ML application development, deliver Fleet-wide training, and migrate legacy SEAHORSE AI/ML ATR architecture.

**Named R-3 performers** (share of this project's FY2027 R-3 total, so they need not reach 100%)**:** Valiant (1.7, 51%), NRL (0.4, 11%), SNL (DOE) (0.3, 9.8%), NIWC PAC (0.3, 7.9%).

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Remote Sensing Capability Development (RSCD) | 3.8 | 3.6 | 3.3 |

> 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 2351 — MDA

The Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) project is a portfolio of partnerships that leverages the investments of other agencies in MDA tools and data, and funds the enhancement of those tools to meet Navy requirements for worldwide over-the-horizon vessel tracking and other MDA data in support of Distributed Common Ground System-Navy (DCGS-N), Automated Identification System (AIS) program of record, MDA analysts at Fleet Maritime Operations Centers, and at the Office of Naval Intelligence. The MDA project manages the partnership with the Department of Transportation to leverage the Maritime Safety and Security Information System (MSSIS) and SeaVision, an unclassified non-Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) information-sharing tool used by United States Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), European Command (EUCOM), Africa Command (AFRICOM), Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), other USG agencies, and foreign partner nations to increase maritime security by sharing information. SeaVision produces a track picture based data contributed by MSSIS partners such as coastal AIS and coastal radar and augmented with commercially procured data. SeaVision is a cloud-based system where users can visualize vessel tracks, access vessel information and run a growing set of analytics. SeaVision also has Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) for machine-to-machine data exchange with authorized systems including the Navy's AIS program of record. The MDA project manages the partnership with the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) to leverage the Thresher system. Thresher is a cloud-based system that provides over-the-horizon vessel tracking and analysis tools enhanced by Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML). The MDA project is working with NRO to enhance Thresher capabilities to improve the correlated and fused track feed provided over the Integrated Broadcast Service and improve Thresher analytics on both JWICS and SIPR net. FY 2027 efforts for MDA SeaVision include user driven and prioritized feature enhancements documented in the Requirements Definition Package (RDP). Major capabilities include the integration with AI/ML platforms to improve analysis, and enhanced interoperability with Office of Naval Intelligence Authoritative Maritime Services. These efforts also include back-end enhancements to the MSSIS to facilitate better data throughput and conditioning.

**Named R-3 performers** (share of this project's FY2027 R-3 total, so they need not reach 100%)**:** NIWC PAC (1.2, 45%), DOT Volpe Center (0.7, 25%).

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) | 3.0 | 3.0 | 2.7 |

> 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 2174 — Intelligence Carry-On Program (ICOP)

The Intelligence Carry-On Program (ICOP) is a powerful afloat edge computing device that is capable of operating on all three security domains (NIPR, SIPR, and JWICs) that extends the Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Targeting (ISR&T) Enterprise and the Distributed Common Ground System-Navy (DCGS-N) Family of Systems (FoS) to unit-level forces and the Joint Intelligence Community (IC). ICOP provides Indications and Warnings (I&W), Signal Intelligence (SIGNIT) correlation, Imagery exploitation, high-value entity alerting, anomaly detection, threat environment pattern of life analysis ISO Maritime Battlespace Awareness with 3-D visualization, Full-Motion Video (FMV), Resilient C3, Integrated Fires, Distributed Maritime Ops, Electromagnetic Maneuver Warfare (EMW) and Processing, Exploitation and Dissemination (PED) capabilities in support of Unit-Level Navy surface (CG, DDG, LPD, FFG, and DDG 1000 classes) and expeditionary operations. ICOP/Communications Module (CM) systems supports a direct downlink of airborne FMV from manned and unmanned sensors supporting FMV exploitation, and with integration of shipboard organic cameras, supports the monitoring of multiple feeds during high tempo operations ISO OPTASK Visual Information (VI) objectives (Strategic Communications - "First to the Truth"). In FY 2027, ICOP will continue integration and testing with Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) capabilities, updated Windows baselines, new data pathways, and applications, and continue engineering efforts related to core SW enhancements to increase autonomy and Denied / Disrupted, Intermittent and Limited (D/DIL) or edge node capabilities.

**Named R-3 performers** (share of this project's FY2027 R-3 total, so they need not reach 100%)**:** NIWC PAC (0.6, 100%).

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Carry-On Program (ICOP) | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.6 |

> 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 9999 — Congressional Adds

CA76: Space-Based RF and AIS Integration delivers capabilities for ISR & Info Operations for the Navy to detect, track, and respond to maritime threats worldwide by integrating intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities across multiple domains. As adversaries increasingly manipulate Automated Identification System (AIS) vessel tracking data and operate to evade detection, the Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) project enhances real-time vessel tracking and threat analysis by integrating and analyzing multiple data sources. MDA leverages investments in interagency tools and data to meet Navy requirements for worldwide over-the-horizon vessel tracking and supports Distributed Common Ground System-Navy (DCGS-N), MDA analysts at Fleet Maritime Operations Centers, the Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC), and the Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI). CA77: Generative AI for Real-Time Operational Awareness / ARCHER delivers capabilities to shape adversary attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors through influence activities paired with Navy, Joint, and combined operations, activities, and investments (OAIs) supporting Operations in the Information Environment (OIE), Counter-Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Targeting (C-C5ISR&T), Overmatch, Campaign Decision Support, Course of Action (COA) Generation, Cognitive Effects Delivery, and Local Sentiment Analysis. ARCHER is an agentic, Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled mission command and data integration platform. It fuses hard-to-access (e.g., behind-national-firewalls, fragmented open-source data, imagery, videos, non-English media, data leaks) foreign information and unclassified data to provide cognitive, information, and force maneuver advantages. The platform operationalizes AI to optimize planning, generate perception insights, and accelerate decision-making. It supports OIE and C5ISR&T across the spectrum of conflict.

## Where the FY2027 request goes

| Category | Share | $M |
|---|---|---|
| Industry primes | 14% | 38.2 |
| Government labs & warfare centers | 0.1% | 0.2 |
| Other / unspecified | 86% | 236.1 |

**Top named industry performers:** NIWC PAC ($13.3M, 4.9%), NAWCWD ($7.7M, 2.8%).

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

## Mission & acquisition strategy

The Tactical Cryptologic Systems in this budget will implement digital system-of-systems engineering by using tools such as Model Based System Engineering (MBSE) and Digital Twins to create adaptable digital models to optimize system engineering from design, development and testing to operations and sustainment. Programs will use Development, Security and Operations (DevSecOps) processes for continuous development, integration, testing and deployment, along with common platform services such as Agile Core Services (ACS), for faster fielding of capability.

The DCGS-N Inc 2 acquisition strategy will follow the Software Acquisition Pathway (SWP) to incrementally deliver capability through the entire lifecycle of the program. The evolutionary approach will consist of multiple, iterative releases (IR) that collectively update the system to meet or exceed all Capability Needs Statement (CNS) and Information Systems Capability Development Document (IS-CDD), Key Performance Parameter (KPP) / Key System Attribute (KSA) threshold requirements. Each product line will be integrated and adapted to ensure viability and effectiveness of capabilities for operational use.

## Related program elements

- [0604280N — JT Tactical RADIO System (JTRS)](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0604280N) (Navy)
- [0604231N — Command AND Control](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0604231N) (Navy)
- [0604706F — Life Support Systems](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0604706F) (Air Force)
- [1203940SF — Space Situation Awareness Operations](https://hitchintel.com/programs/1203940SF) (Space Force)

## Source & machine access

- **Source:** FY2027 Department of the Navy RDT&E Budget Justification, Exhibits R-2/R-3, PE 0304785N (PB PB2027); FY2027 NDAA committee marks (as of 2026-07-27).
- **MCP:** `mcp.hitchintel.com` — `budget_get_program_element(pe="0304785N")`.

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