# NCCT Core Technology — Program Element 0305221F

**Program element:** 0305221F  
**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/0305221F

## Summary

U.S. Air Force funding falls 24% to a $9.1M 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. L3Harris leads the industry work.

## Funding profile

| Fiscal Year | Estimate Type | Amount ($M) |
|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | Actual | 10.0 |
| FY2026 | Enacted | 12.0 |
| FY2027 | Request | 9.1 |
| FY2028 | Outyear | 9.5 |
| FY2029 | Outyear | 9.7 |
| FY2030 | Outyear | 9.9 |
| FY2031 | Outyear | 10.1 |

> 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 | 9.1 | — |
| House NDAA (HASC) | 9.1 | +0.0 |
| Senate NDAA (SASC) | 9.1 | +0.0 |
| House Approps (HAC-D) | 9.1 | +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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 675197 | NCCT Core Technology | 10.0 | 12.0 | 9.1 | −24% |

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

### Project 675197 — NCCT Core Technology

Network Centric Collaborative Targeting (NCCT) is the Department of the Air Force's (DAF) program of record performing platform agnostic, tactical, cooperative geo-location against time sensitive targets. At its core, NCCT is a cloud-based, Joint sensor network that integrates sensors and shooters via a multi-domain, multi-intelligence (multi-INT) AI/ML-assisted decision matrix over a survivable network to find, fix, track, and target (F2T2) threats in highly contested battlespaces. Operationally, NCCT is currently deployed on a variety of DAF aircraft, the DCGS, and other DoD assets. NCCT's utilization of intelligent sensor mesh networks, multi-INT fusion, and its cross-domain information sharing and sensor C2 are key contributions to the Sensing Grid's sensing, sense making, integration, and global orchestration thrusts. NCCT research and development funding supports development of the NCCT message set, network management systems, and technology modernization specific to network and fusion architecture design. Development funds also support software modifications required for development and integration with new and emerging platforms, and incorporation of new data fusion algorithms while satisfying DoD standards and Information Assurance requirements. FY 2027 funding will be dedicated to continued scaling of the long-range kill chain by leveraging multi-INT AI/ML-assisted fusion, focused integration into track custody ontologies via object-based methods, as well as tactical edge fusion and orchestration support. NCCT will be working closely with C3BM and DAF Battle Network to advance core capabilities to fulfill critical networking requirements, as well as continued partnerships and integrations with the Joint Force. FY 2026 funding is dedicated to filling critical capability gaps in the long-range kill chain and multi-INT High Capacity F2T2EA (HCF) sense-making, as well as continued partnerships and integrations with the Joint Force. NCCT is working closely with C3BM to enhance core capabilities, fulfill critical networking and fusion gaps, and advance long-range kill chain operations. NCCT is also developing advanced techniques for rapid sensemaking of multi-INT HCF sensors by leveraging cross-intelligence AI/ML-assisted fusion and optimizing the network to mirror targeting priorities.

**Named R-3 performers** (share of this project's FY2027 R-3 total, so they need not reach 100%)**:** L3Harris (6.7, 73%), NaraLogics (1.3, 14%), 16th AF M2O (1.0, 11%), 645 AESG (0.1, 1.4%).

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core Technology | 10.0 | 12.0 | 9.1 |

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

## Where the FY2027 request goes

| Category | Share | $M |
|---|---|---|
| Industry primes | 100% | 9.1 |

**Top named industry performers:** L3Harris ($6.7M, 73%), NaraLogics ($1.3M, 14%), 16th AF M2O ($1.0M, 11%).

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

## Mission & acquisition strategy

Network Centric Collaborative Targeting (NCCT) is the Department of the Air Force's (DAF) program of record performing platform agnostic, tactical, cooperative geo-location against time sensitive targets. At its core, NCCT is a cloud-based, Joint sensor network that integrates sensors and shooters via a multi-domain, multi-intelligence (multi-INT) AI/ML-assisted decision matrix over a survivable network to find, fix, track, and target (F2T2) threats in highly contested battlespaces. Operationally, NCCT is currently deployed on a variety of DAF aircraft, the DCGS, and other DoD assets.

The 645 AESG, Wright Patterson AFB OH, manages the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contracts used for the agile software development of NCCT Core Technology. 645 AESG will develop NCCT software on common hardware for systems and platforms designated to field this ISR capability. Individual platform program management offices may contract directly with their prime contractors or through the 645 AESG for integration of NCCT capabilities on their respective systems and platforms.

## Related program elements

- [0605013N — Information Technology Development](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0605013N) (Navy)
- [0603596N — LCS Mission Modules](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0603596N) (Navy)
- [0604270F — Electronic Warfare Development](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0604270F) (Air Force)
- [0207039F — Cognitive Electronic Warfare](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0207039F) (Air Force)

## Source & machine access

- **Source:** FY2027 Department of the Air Force RDT&E Budget Justification, Exhibits R-2/R-3, PE 0305221F (PB PB2027); FY2027 NDAA committee marks (as of 2026-07-27).
- **MCP:** `mcp.hitchintel.com` — `budget_get_program_element(pe="0305221F")`.

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