# Project 1502 — C5ISR/Naval Space

**Program element:** 0601153N — Defense Research Sciences  
**Project:** 1502  
**Component:** U.S. Navy  
**Appropriation:** 1319 — RDT&E, Navy  
**Budget Activity:** 1 — Basic Research  
**Vintage:** President's Budget PB2027  
**Canonical URL:** https://hitchintel.com/programs/0601153N/1502  
**Parent:** https://hitchintel.com/programs/0601153N

## Summary

Project 1502 — C5ISR/Naval Space requests $47.6M in FY2027, 9.1% of the $525.4M requested for program element 0601153N, down 18% on FY2026. 9 R-2A activities decompose the request.

## Funding profile

| Fiscal Year | Estimate Type | Amount ($M) |
|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | Actual | 0.0 |
| FY2026 | Enacted | 57.9 |
| FY2027 | Request | 47.6 |
| FY2028 | Outyear | 53.1 |
| FY2029 | Outyear | 56.2 |
| FY2030 | Outyear | 54.7 |
| FY2031 | Outyear | 53.0 |

> Estimate types are not summed. This project is one leaf of PE 0601153N; the PE total is the sum of its projects, never added to them.

## What project 1502 buys

The Command, Control, Computers, Communications, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Naval Space activity researches and develops technology for the naval force to obtain decisive competitive advantage across the range of naval missions and levels of warfare. This project conducts fundamental research in data science, mathematical optimization, computational and information sciences, command and control (C2), combat systems, communications, cyber security, cyber operations, electromagnetic warfare (EMW), sensing and surveillance, and quantum sciences.

## Activities (R-2A) — 9

| Activity | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 | Move | Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Artificial Intelligence, Data Sciences, and Quantum Information Sciences | 0.0 | 25.1 | 19.4 | −23% | [a0](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0601153N/1502/a0) |
| Complex Software Systems and Cybersecurity | 0.0 | 8.4 | 7.9 | −6% | — |
| Communications and Networks | 0.0 | 0.9 | 7.2 | +677% | — |
| Information Technology | 0.0 | 14.1 | 4.9 | −65% | — |
| Quantum Measurement Architectural Devices | 0.0 | 3.1 | 3.6 | +17% | — |
| Electromagnetic Warfare | 0.0 | 2.3 | 2.1 | −10% | — |
| Research Platforms | 0.0 | 1.1 | 1.6 | +44% | — |
| Networked Sensing | 0.0 | 0.8 | 1.0 | +19% | — |
| Expeditionary Cyber | 0.0 | 2.1 | 0.0 | −100% | — |

> Activities carry the prior, current and budget year only — no five-year plan. In the request year they partition this project exactly; in earlier years they can under-cover it.

### Artificial Intelligence, Data Sciences, and Quantum Information Sciences

Quantum Information Sciences: - Continue research of quantum states, devices, phenomena relative to the simulation, information processing and computing performance needs of naval systems. - Continue research on novel techniques for controlling quantum states to improve performance of information processors, sensors and clocks…

Full year-by-year narrative: https://hitchintel.com/programs/0601153N/1502/a0

### Complex Software Systems and Cybersecurity

**FY2027 planned work.** Complex Software Systems and Cybersecurity: - Continue to investigate and explore novel computing concepts that lead toward robust, resilient, and dependable cyber systems. - Continue research on novel methods for attack surface maneuver for cyber physical systems and systems with complex apertures and sophisticated sensing apparatus, to include lightweight decoy synchronization and other resilience techniques. - Continue research on autonomous cyber operations to explore what facets of cyber activities can be done fully autonomously or semi autonomously with human input. - Continue exploration of new alternatives for computing devices and architectures to include chip level security both in design and analysis. - Continue investigation of techniques for microcode-based implementation as a means of achieving hardware-enforced security features such as buffer overwrite preventions. - Initiate exploration of possible vulnerabilities in AI applications and training.

**FY2026 to FY2027 change.** Funding decrease from FY 2026 to FY 2027 is due to reduced research on novel methods for attack surface maneuver for cyber physical systems and systems with complex apertures and sophisticated sensing apparatus, to include lightweight decoy synchronization and other resilience techniques.

**FY2026 plans — current year.** Complex Software Systems and Cybersecurity: - Continue to investigate and explore novel computing concepts that lead toward robust, resilient, and dependable cyber systems. - Continue research on novel methods for attack surface maneuver for cyber physical systems and systems with complex apertures and sophisticated sensing apparatus, to include lightweight decoy synchronization and other resilience techniques. - Continue research on autonomous cyber operations to explore what facets of cyber activities can be done fully autonomously or semi autonomously with human input. - Continue exploration of new alternatives for computing devices and architectures to include chip level security both in design and analysis. - Complete exploration of novel application of ONR's concept of hybrid, formal-statistical machine learning in cyber security and software systems environment. - Complete exploration of physics-based approaches to various security aspect of cyber-physical systems, including authentication, vulnerability testing, and exploit resilience. - Complete critical emphasis on improving scalability and capability of bottom-up formal analysis that would enable users to prove security properties about binaries directly. - Initiate investigation of techniques for microcode-based implementation as a means of achieving hardware-enforced security features such as buffer overwrite preventions.

### Communications and Networks

**FY2027 planned work.** Research thrusts in this area include Tactical Communications and Tactical Networks. Tactical Communications: - Continue research regarding novel software coding and modulation techniques to improve the efficiency, capacity and/or resilience of wireless communication systems. - Complete research efforts to develop new techniques for wireless distributed computing and device-to-device communication. - Initiate research zero-power backscatter networks for communications with sensors. Tactical Networks: - Continue research efforts regarding Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning techniques relevant to multi-dimensional Quality-of-Service optimization issues. - Continue research efforts on the development of cognitive methods and algorithms to maintain network resiliency when experiencing communications link disruptions without adding excess overhead resources. - Continue research on learned optimal software-defined network synchronization.

**FY2026 to FY2027 change.** The funding increase due to increased research into robust connectivity and networking in hostile tactical environments.

**FY2026 plans — current year.** Communications and Networks: Research thrusts in this area include Tactical Communications and Tactical Networks. Tactical Communications: - Continue research efforts to develop new techniques for wireless distributed computing and device-to-device communication. - Continue investigations regarding novel software coding and modulation techniques to improve the efficiency, capacity and/or resilience of wireless communication systems. Tactical Networks: - Continue research efforts regarding Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning techniques relevant to multi-dimensional Quality-of-Service optimization issues. - Continue research efforts on the development of cognitive methods and algorithms to maintain network resiliency when experiencing communications link disruptions without adding excess overhead resources. - Continue research on learned optimal software-defined network synchronization

### Information Technology

**FY2027 planned work.** - Continue research efforts in Environmentally-informed Decision Theory that focuses on the theory and understanding behind the information processing, analytics, optimization, information content, analysis, decision-making, and decision understanding needed to obtain decisive competitive advantage across the range of naval missions and levels of warfare that are significantly impacted by the environment and predictions of the environment. These efforts will focus on the creation and understanding of algorithms and software technologies that utilize environmental characterization or forecasts along with non-environmental information to support user-cognitive processes. Research efforts conducted in this area involves all elements of decision-relevant artificial intelligence, and places an emphasis on efforts that enable the ability to communicate the reasoning behind specific decision guidance. Recognizing the large amount of data required to generate decision guidance, the computationally difficult nature of optimizing large, complex problems, and the proliferation of disconnected and independent decision guidance systems, these efforts includes theory, approximations, and advanced heuristics aimed at tackling these challenges. - Continue research efforts in information management and human-machine interactions, decision superiority, detection of cognitive biases in decision-making, and efficient computation amongst multi-agent systems and Service Oriented Architectures. Research activities within this area will explore the theoretical underpinnings of systems modeling warfighter abilities, cognitive state, neurophysiological markers and behavior, enabling expert agents to identify bias and suggest alternative courses of action to decision-makers, as well as machine-based efforts at the basic science level to ensure software accuracy and proper function. Long term goals include foundational research in maritime AI-based algorithms on deployed Naval/Joint platforms, operating at the micro-level, with super-human speed and accuracy, and human interaction with deployed Adaptable Artificial Intelligence.

**FY2026 to FY2027 change.** The funding decrease from FY 2026 to FY 2027 is due to a realignment within the same PE from PU 1502: C5ISR/Naval Space to PU 1501: Autonomy/AI.

**FY2026 plans — current year.** - Continue research efforts in Environmentally-informed Decision Theory that focuses on the theory and understanding behind the information processing, analytics, optimization, information content, analysis, decision-making, and decision understanding needed to obtain decisive competitive advantage across the range of naval missions and levels of warfare that are significantly impacted by the environment and predictions of the environment. These efforts will focus on the creation and understanding of algorithms and software technologies that utilize environmental characterization or forecasts along with non-environmental information to support user-cognitive processes. Research efforts conducted in this area involves all elements of decision-relevant artificial intelligence, and places an emphasis on efforts that enable the ability to communicate the reasoning behind specific decision guidance. Recognizing the large amount of data required to generate decision guidance, the computationally difficult nature of optimizing large, complex problems, and the proliferation of disconnected and independent decision guidance systems, these efforts includes theory, approximations, and advanced heuristics aimed at tackling these challenges. - Continue research efforts in information management and human-machine interactions, decision superiority, detection of cognitive biases in decision-making, and efficient computation amongst multi-agent systems and Service Oriented Architectures. Research activities within this area will explore the theoretical underpinnings of systems modeling warfighter abilities, cognitive state, neurophysiological markers and behavior, enabling expert agents to identify bias and suggest alternative courses of action to decision-makers, as well as machine-based efforts at the basic science level to ensure software accuracy and proper function. Long term goals include foundational research in maritime AI-based algorithms on deployed Naval/Joint platforms, operating at the micro-level, with super-human speed and accuracy, and human interaction with deployed Adaptable Artificial Intelligence.

### Quantum Measurement Architectural Devices

**FY2027 planned work.** Quantum Measurement Architectural Devices: - Continue research efforts regarding the development of protocols for sensing and timekeeping devices based on quantum systems, including clocks with improved short and long-term performance and electromagnetic field sensors. - Continue research into the development of inertial and gravity sensors based on light-atom interferometry. - Continue research efforts on the capabilities of non-equilibrium many-body systems for novel metrology. - Continue research on cooling and trapping of molecules for quantum sensing. - Initiate research on nuclear atomic clock architectures.

**FY2026 to FY2027 change.** Funding increase from FY 2026 to FY 2027 is due to increased research in nuclear atomic clock architectures.

**FY2026 plans — current year.** Quantum Measurement Architectural Devices: - Continue research efforts regarding the development of protocols for sensing and timekeeping devices based on quantum systems, including clocks with improved short and long-term performance and electromagnetic field sensors. - Continue research into the development of inertial and gravity sensors based on light-atom interferometry. - Continue research efforts on the capabilities of non-equilibrium many-body systems for novel metrology. - Continue research on cooling and trapping of molecules for quantum sensing.

### Electromagnetic Warfare

**FY2027 planned work.** - Continue investigations into novel approaches to deep-generative machine learning-based algorithms and architectures for multi-static radar imaging to enable better noise robustness and resolution performance. - Continue research efforts with the overarching objective of establishing the mathematical constructs, techniques, computational procedures, and scientific foundations for analysis/design of signal, image, control, and data generating systems for use in Navy, other DoW, dual-use, or commercial development programs.

**FY2026 to FY2027 change.** Funding decrease from FY 2026 to FY 2027 is due to reduced research efforts with the overarching objective of establishing the mathematical constructs, techniques, computational procedures, and scientific foundations for analysis/design of signal, image, control, and data generating systems for use in Navy, other DoW, dual-use, or commercial development programs.

**FY2026 plans — current year.** - Continue investigations into novel approaches to deep-generative machine learning-based algorithms and architectures for multi-static radar imaging to enable better noise robustness and resolution performance. - Continue research efforts with the overarching objective of establishing the mathematical constructs, techniques, computational procedures, and scientific foundations for analysis/design of signal, image, control, and data generating systems for use in Navy, other DoW, dual-use, or commercial development programs.

### Research Platforms

**FY2027 planned work.** Research Platforms: - Continue airborne collection of multi-modal signature and phenomenology for fundamental modelling and machine learning research. - Initiate the modification and aircraft certification for collection Airborne high resolution radar clutter and hard target signature data. - Initiate the design and integration for autonomous track and trail delivery from manned aircraft.

**FY2026 to FY2027 change.** The funding increase from FY 2026 to FY 2027 reflects increased investment to design and integrate an autonomous track and trail capability on manned aircraft.

**FY2026 plans — current year.** Research Platforms: - Continue airborne collection of multi-modal signature and phenomenology for fundamental modelling and machine learning research.

### Networked Sensing

**FY2027 planned work.** Networked Sensing: - Continue research into physical and quantum limitations of photon detection to enhance understanding of light-matter interactions, beam control, and detection. - Continue research investigations regarding fundamental implications of classical entanglement on imaging and metrology. - Continue research efforts regarding the exploration of highly sensitive, multi-spectral detector materials and active sensing modalities for imaging through clouds, fog, haze and dust. - Continue research efforts to explore novel optical (photonic integrated) processing architectures to significantly increase signal-processing bandwidth and to enable novel, real-time, distributed sensing applications. - Continue research investigations into the direct measurement of current and phase at optical and infrared light frequencies to enable wider flexibility in signal extraction and waveforms.

**FY2026 to FY2027 change.** Funding increase from FY 2026 to FY 2027 is due to increased research into physical and quantum limitations of photon detection to enhance understanding of light-matter interactions, beam control, and detection.

**FY2026 plans — current year.** - Continue research into physical and quantum limitations of photon detection to enhance understanding of light-matter interactions, beam control, and detection. - Continue research investigations regarding fundamental implications of classical entanglement on imaging and metrology. - Continue research efforts regarding the exploration of highly sensitive, multi-spectral detector materials and active sensing modalities for imaging through clouds, fog, haze and dust. - Continue research efforts to explore novel optical processing architectures to significantly increase signal-processing bandwidth and to enable novel, real-time, distributed sensing applications. - Continue research investigations into the direct measurement of current and phase at optical and infrared light frequencies to enable wider flexibility in signal extraction and waveforms.

### Expeditionary Cyber

**FY2026 to FY2027 change.** The decrease in funding from FY 2026 to FY 2027 is due to the realignment and consolidation of all expeditionary funding under PE 0601153N to the new Expeditionary Campaigns project number 1510 within this PE. Planned programs have been updated to align to current expeditionary and naval priorities.

**FY2026 plans — current year.** - Complete research into rethinking data security in a speculative, hammerable, and heterogeneous world. - Complete research into third generation network intrusion detection and prevention systems. - Complete research into cyber-secure, power-aware, embedded, distributed, federated learning algorithms on resource constrained, sporadically connected systems. - Complete research into cyber-secure embedded auditable root-of-trust technologies for radio frequency-centric hardware to embed trust and assurance into expeditionary microelectronics.

## What is NOT on this page

Congressional marks, the R-2 mission description and acquisition strategy, the industry vs government split of the whole request, and related program elements are recorded at **program-element** grain — an NDAA mark lands on a PE, never on a project. They are at https://hitchintel.com/programs/0601153N.

## Source & machine access

- **Source:** FY2027 Department of the Navy RDT&E Budget Justification, Exhibits R-2/R-2A/R-3, PE 0601153N project 1502 (PB PB2027).
- **MCP:** `mcp.hitchintel.com` — `budget_get_program_element(pe="0601153N")`.

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