ST System Development
Mission Description and Budget Item Justification Special Tactics (ST) is a human-based weapon system, comprised of both human and equipment capabilities formulated to provide the Air Force and Joint Force with support across the following missions: Global Access, Precision Strike, and Personnel Recovery (PR); with additional focus on Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations (EMSO), Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), and Ground-based Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD). ST is employed by Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) across three distinct operator specialties: Combat Control, Pararescue, and Special Reconnaissance. ST, along with the Guardian Angel and Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) weapon systems, collectively make up Air Force Special Warfare (AFSPECWAR), formerly known as Battlefield Airmen. Special Warfare Acquisition, Growth and Refresh (SWAGR) is the program of record to develop, integrate, test, procure and field the latest technology and equipment across a wide range of capabilities to ensure AFSPECWAR ST operators can achieve the mission sets outlined above. Specifically, SWAGR delivers modernized capability in the areas of body-worn hardware/software, tactical communications, ground mobility, small UAS, visual augmentation, maritime, special reconnaissance, technical recovery, and assault zones. Funding will provide for continued software development and modernization of the body-worn kit to enhance situational awareness, communication, information management, and airpower integration for ST operators in the battlespace. These enhancements will improve the ability recognize, identify, range, nominate, and designate targets during both day and night operations. Improvements will also significantly reduce the time required to find, track, fix targets, and engage the enemy by attacking adversary signals of interest, providing highly accurate target grid coordinates in three dimensions, generating target imagery both pre- and post-strike, and transmitting target data to Command and Control centers.
FY2027 planned work FY2027 budget plans can be found in BA 07 Project 0207457F (675138-ST System Development).
FY2026 to FY2027 change FY2026 funding ($9.622 Million) and FY2027 funding ($9.893 Million) for BA 07 Project 0408011F was transferred to BA 07 Project 0207457F.
FY2026 plans — current year FY2026 funding ($9.622 Million) for BA 07 Project 0408011F was transferred to BA 07 Project 0207457F. FY2026 Congressional Add ($28.200 Million) for sUAS development ($25.000 Million) and ST development ($3.200 Million).