# ISR Modernization & Automation Dvmt (IMAD) — Program Element 0305022F

**Program element:** 0305022F  
**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/0305022F

## Summary

U.S. Air Force funding falls 27% to a $16.2M request in FY2027 (down from a FY2026 peak), sustained 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. ACC/A29P leads the industry work.

## Funding profile

| Fiscal Year | Estimate Type | Amount ($M) |
|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | Actual | 19.4 |
| FY2026 | Enacted | 22.2 |
| FY2027 | Request | 16.2 |
| FY2028 | Outyear | 17.2 |
| FY2029 | Outyear | 17.8 |
| FY2030 | Outyear | 18.2 |
| FY2031 | Outyear | 18.7 |

> 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 | 16.2 | — |
| House NDAA (HASC) | 16.2 | +0.0 |
| Senate NDAA (SASC) | 16.2 | +0.0 |
| House Approps (HAC-D) | 16.2 | +0.0 |

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

## Projects (2)

| Project | Title | FY2025 actual | FY2026 enacted | FY2027 request | Move |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 675197 | Core Technology | 15.9 | 18.6 | 12.5 | −33% |
| 675306 | Analysis Enterprise | 3.5 | 3.6 | 3.7 | +3% |

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

### Project 675197 — Core Technology

Core Technologies in support of Algorithmic Warfare: technologies using algorithms to support USAF ISR, Joint, and the Intelligence Community (IC) operations at the scale and speed required in modern warfare against our adversaries and supports the National Defense Strategy (NDS) priority of operating at the "speed of relevance." Algorithmic technologies such as Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to reshape current sense, identify, attribute, and share Processing, Exploitation and Dissemination (PED) models to meet sustainable and effective ISR digital solutions while identifying efficiencies and thrive in a complex operating environment. Supports National Defense Strategy priority of operating at the speed of relevance and Next Generation Flight Plan. This program element included all necessary 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 elements 0605829F, 0605831F, 0605833F, and 0605898F.

**Named R-3 performers** (share of this project's FY2027 R-3 total, so they need not reach 100%)**:** ACC/A29P (12.5, 100%).

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Algorithmic Warfare | 15.9 | 18.6 | 12.5 |

> 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 675306 — Analysis Enterprise

AF ISR must adapt large data sets and condition it into mission sets, allowing personnel to discover, manage, and analyze data and transform it into living intelligence. Kill Chain Automation applies new methodologies; advances automation and machine learning algorithms; ensures data is accessible, agreeable, and interoperable; and delivers decision advantage. Supports National Defense Strategy priority of operating at the speed of relevance and Next Generation ISR Dominance Flight Plan. This program element included all necessary 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 elements 0605829F, 0605831F, 0605833F, and 0605898F.

**Named R-3 performers** (share of this project's FY2027 R-3 total, so they need not reach 100%)**:** HAF/A2 (3.7, 100%).

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kill Chain Automation | 3.5 | 3.6 | 3.7 |

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

## Where the FY2027 request goes

| Category | Share | $M |
|---|---|---|
| Industry primes | 100% | 16.2 |

**Top named industry performers:** ACC/A29P ($12.5M, 77%), HAF/A2 ($3.7M, 23%).

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

## Mission & acquisition strategy

AF ISR Modernization, Automation and Development (IMAD) program develops and demonstrates technology required to implement Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML), Automation to aid in the current manpower-intensive approaches with digital innovations across the Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) systems. SECAF directed the Air Force to invest in a more automated environment to relieve strain on manpower in the out years, and IMAD delivers on that direction by creating ISR enterprise-wide effects that enhance the common operating picture, accelerate the flow of data from detection to decision, and expand use of ISR Commercial Cloud capabilities as outlined in the…

IMAD is committed to transforming innovative concepts into operational capabilities that strengthen and modernize Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) competencies for the warfighter. To achieve this mission, IMAD will leverage the Department of Defense Information Analysis Center (IAC) Multiple Award Contract (MAC) vehicle, an Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) framework designed to accelerate Research and Development (R&D) and deliver critical services. This approach ensures that cutting-edge solutions are delivers that directly enhance warfighter readiness and operational effectiveness.

## Related program elements

- [0702806F — Acquisition and Management Support](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0702806F) (Air Force)
- [1203040SF — Defensive Cyber Ops - Space](https://hitchintel.com/programs/1203040SF) (Space Force)
- [0604320M — Rapid Technology Capability Prototype](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0604320M) (Navy)
- [0602602F — Conventional Munitions](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0602602F) (Air Force)

## Source & machine access

- **Source:** FY2027 Department of the Air Force RDT&E Budget Justification, Exhibits R-2/R-3, PE 0305022F (PB PB2027); FY2027 NDAA committee marks (as of 2026-07-27).
- **MCP:** `mcp.hitchintel.com` — `budget_get_program_element(pe="0305022F")`.

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