# C3I Applied Research — Program Element 0602182A

**Program element:** 0602182A  
**Component:** U.S. Army  
**Appropriation:** 2040 — RDT&E, Army  
**Budget Activity:** 2 — Applied Research  
**Vintage:** President's Budget PB2027  
**Canonical URL:** https://hitchintel.com/programs/0602182A

## Summary

U.S. Army funding falls 100% to a $0.0M request in FY2027 (down from a FY2026 peak). In the FY2027 defense authorization, House appropriators added $12.0M (to $12.0M).

## Funding profile

| Fiscal Year | Estimate Type | Amount ($M) |
|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | Actual | 18.9 |
| FY2026 | Enacted | 26.3 |
| FY2027 | Request | 0.0 |
| FY2028 | Outyear | 0.0 |
| FY2029 | Outyear | 0.0 |
| FY2030 | Outyear | 0.0 |
| FY2031 | Outyear | 0.0 |

> 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 | 0.0 | — |
| House Approps (HAC-D) | 12.0 | +12.0 |

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

## Projects (10)

| Project | Title | FY2025 actual | FY2026 enacted | FY2027 request | Move |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DM9 | Distributed Multi-Agent Reasoning and Data Fusion | — | 5.8 | — | −100% |
| DA8 | Quantum PNT & Radio Frequency Sensing | 3.6 | 5.2 | — | −100% |
| CT4 | C3I Applied Research (CA) | — | 4.0 | — | −100% |
| CX4 | Persistent Geophysical Sensing-Infrasound Apl Tech | 2.0 | 3.1 | — | −100% |
| CX3 | Intelligent Env Battlefield Awareness Apl Tech | 1.6 | 2.6 | — | −100% |
| CN4 | Network Enabling University Applied Research | 2.4 | 2.3 | — | −100% |
| CZ6 | Assured PNT Enabling Applied Technology | 2.2 | 1.7 | — | −100% |
| CX6 | Subterranean Detection and Monitoring Apl Tech | 1.5 | 1.1 | — | −100% |
| DB4 | Enabling Long Standoff 3D (ELS3D) Tech | 1.1 | 0.5 | — | −100% |
| CN5 | Network Vuln/Effectiveness Assess Methods (N-VEAM) | 4.4 | 0.0 | — | −100% |

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

### Project DM9 — Distributed Multi-Agent Reasoning and Data Fusion

This Project supports research on distributed Artificial Intelligence (AI) reasoning networks and data fusion techniques to provide an overall assessment of multi-domain tactical Windows of Opportunities to assess if windows are opening-closing-degrading-enhancing for tactical operations. This effort will research the properties of Windows of Opportunity such as scope, resilience, uncertainties, vulnerabilities, and superiority in order to enable air and ground agents to autonomously identify and assess multi-domain Windows of Opportunity for fast exploitation while being resilient to adversarial disruptions and deceptions. Work in this Project complements PE 0603463A (Network C3I Advanced Technology) / Project AQ8 (High Tempo Data Driven Decision Tools Adv Tech), PE 0603463A (Network C3I Advanced Technology) / Project AM7 (Modular RF Communication Advanced Technology), and PE 0603457 (C3I Cyber Advanced Development) / Project 6CY (Autonomous Cyber Advanced Technology). The cited research is consistent with Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering Science and Technology priority focus areas and the Army Modernization Strategy. Work in this Project is performed by the Army Research Laboratory (ARL).

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Modeling and Fusion for Composite Windows of Opportunity for Resilient Autonomous Agents | — | 1.2 | — |
| Distributed Multi-Agent Reasoning Networks for Resilient Autonomous Agents | — | 4.6 | — |

> 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 DA8 — Quantum PNT & Radio Frequency Sensing

This project will investigate quantum sensing approaches for positioning, navigation, timing (PNT), and field sensing. The focus is to improve the accuracy and resiliency of both Army PNT capabilities independent of Global Positioning System (GPS) to include situational awareness, for electromagnetic signals across the entire frequency spectrum. The payoff of this work will be the development of sensing capabilities and approaches that are beyond classical limits enabling a new paradigm of systems that are more secure, resilient, and precise. Work in this project complements Program Element (PE) 0603463A (Network C3I Advanced Technology) / Project AW6 (Modular GPS Independent Sensors Advanced Tech) and Program Element (PE) 0602146A (Network C3I Technology) / Project AW5 (Modular GPS Independent Sensors Technology). Work in this project is performed by Army Research Laboratory (ARL).

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quantum-Enhanced Sensing and PNT | 3.6 | 5.2 | — |

> 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 CT4 — C3I Applied Research (CA)

Congressional Interest Item funding provided for C3I Applied Research.

### Project CX4 — Persistent Geophysical Sensing-Infrasound Apl Tech

This project designs and develops algorithms, hardware, and software components to provide passive, persistent, non-line-of-sight, multi-modal sensing capable of providing fused battlefield intelligence for increased situational awareness in a dynamic operational environment. These technologies provide near-real-time data collection, processing, and alerting on evolving cross-domain threats including strategic and tactical fires, air and ground platforms, as well as critical transportation infrastructure (bridges) and explosive events with applications for deep sensing. Work in this project complements Program Element (PE) 0603042A (C3I Advanced Technology) / Project CX8 (Persistent Geophysical Sensing-Infrasound Adv Tech). Work is performed by the United States Army Engineer Research and Development Center Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory, Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory, Construction Engineering Research Laboratory, Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory, Environmental Laboratory, and Information Technology Laboratory.

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multi-Domain Operations for Adaptable Wide Area Reconnaissance (MDO AWARe) | 2.0 | 3.1 | — |

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

### Project CX3 — Intelligent Env Battlefield Awareness Apl Tech

This project investigates, develops, and designs technologies to allow Soldiers to maneuver faster in dynamic environments as informed by physical, geological, and biological constraints. This project enhances visualization tools for mission planning through delivering web modules/software tools which contain crucial geochemical resources and advanced knowledge of geo-environmental infrastructure for mission planners. These technologies provide situational awareness for multi-source intelligence, particularly in anti-access/area denied (A2/AD) operational environments. Work in this project complements Program Element (PE) 0603042A (C3I Advanced Technology (Adv Tech)) / Project CX7 (Intelligent Env Battlefield Awareness Adv Tech). Work in this project is performed at the United States Army Engineer Research and Development Center Environmental Laboratory, Geospatial Research Laboratory, Information Technology Laboratory, Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory, Construction Research Engineering Laboratory, and Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory.

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vegetation Property Mapping Tech | — | 0.6 | — |
| Extreme Environments Environmental Effects on Operations Tech | 0.6 | 0.5 | — |
| Terrestrial Ice Operations | 1.0 | 1.4 | — |

> 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 CN4 — Network Enabling University Applied Research

The project leverages applied research from academia, in the focus areas of intelligent networks, self-sensing/self-healing networks, network security, air and ground vehicle teaming and alternatives to Global Positioning System (GPS). This project will focus on research that supports mid-to-long term tactical Command, Control, Communications and Intelligence (C3I) capabilities (e.g. networking, cyber, electronic warfare, Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT), Predictive Intelligence Networks (PIN), space, persistent surveillance). This project also focuses on bringing competitively selected Universities with research and development teams into Technical Alliances that will investigate and develop technologies originating from applied research in academia pertaining to intelligent networks, self-sensing/self-healing networks, and network security and artificial intelligence/machine (AI/ML) learning as applied to C3I, and other innovative communication as well as alternatives to GPS, leading to potential emerging technologies in areas of strategic importance to the Army in secure and intelligent communication and networking. Work in this project complements Program Element (PE) 0603042A (C3I Advanced Technology) / Project CN3 (Network Enabling University Adv Development). Work in this project is performed by the Army Research Laboratory (ARL).

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intelligent, Secure and Self-Sensing/Self-Healing Networks Applied Technology | 1.3 | 1.1 | — |
| Real-Time Tactical Networks Applied Research | 0.6 | 0.6 | — |
| Alternatives to GPS Applied Research | 0.5 | 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 CZ6 — Assured PNT Enabling Applied Technology

Assured Positioning Navigation and Timing (APNT) Enabling Technologies project investigates and develops technologies for Space-enabled, Deep Sensing, Counter Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C-SR) and High Altitude applications for Army tactical ground forces. Focus areas include but are not limited to modeling and simulation for C-SR and Deep Sensing technologies, investigate the utilization of space data for Army tactical applications, and developing actionable PNT situational awareness information. Work in this project complements Program Element (PE) 0603463A (Network C3I Advanced Technology) / Project CJ8 (Assured PNT Communications Advanced Tech). Work in this project is performed by the United States Army Space and Missile Defense Technical Center.

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assured PNT Enabling Applied Technology | 2.2 | 1.7 | — |

> 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 CX6 — Subterranean Detection and Monitoring Apl Tech

This project designs and develops an integrated suite of tunnel detection, subterranean monitoring solutions, and vulnerability assessment technologies to detect, identify, and monitor subterranean threat activities in urban environments through advanced sensing and rapid analysis capabilities. This project also develops and investigates enhanced technologies to detect tunnels and tunneling activity in complex and varied environments. This research is critical to provide greater situational awareness of the subterranean domain and enhanced survivability for the Soldier. Work in this project complements Program Element (PE) 0603042A (C3I Advanced Technology) / Project CZ5 (Subterranean Detection and Monitoring Adv Tech). Work in this project is performed by the United States Army Engineer Research and Development Center Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory, Construction Engineering Research Laboratory, Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory and Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory.

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cavity Assessment in Variable Environments-Subterranean (CAVES) | 1.5 | 1.1 | — |

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

### Project DB4 — Enabling Long Standoff 3D (ELS3D) Tech

This project investigates and develops a low size, weight, and power (SWAP) laser transmitter, processing algorithms and calibration models tailored for higher resolution 3D data collections over larger areas from longer stand-off for mapping, Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) and targeting. Long standoff airborne collection of high-resolution quick turnaround 3D data is vital for mission planning, target detection and identification, fire control, autonomous navigation, kinetic targeting, and battle damage assessment. Existing light detection and ranging (LIDAR) systems are limited to short standoff and/or near-nadir collection, limiting their use against near-peer adversaries and restricting the provision of 3D data. The payoff will enable long standoff airborne collection of high-resolution quick turnaround 3D data through the development LIDAR subsystems and processing algorithms. Work in this project complements Program Element (PE) 0603042A (C3I Advanced Technology) / Project DB5 (Enabling Long Standoff 3D Adv Tech). Work in this project is performed by the United States Army Engineer Research and Development Center Geospatial Research Laboratory, and Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory.

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Signal Processing for Forward Looking Mapping Systems | 1.1 | — | — |
| Large Format GmAPD Camera | — | 0.5 | — |

> 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 CN5 — Network Vuln/Effectiveness Assess Methods (N-VEAM)

This project develops analytical methodologies and capabilities to characterize hardware and software that enable Electromagnetic Warfare (EW) and Cyber capabilities to assess operations of Army Network and communication platforms and dismounts, while maintaining freedom to maneuver, communicate, and sense. This project also develops a holistic cross-domain analysis and assessment methodology for network and communication technologies faced with advanced Cyber Electromagnetic Activity (CEMA). These investigations are critical to identifying vulnerabilities of United States systems and technologies so that network and network-enabled systems can be hardened as early as possible in development cycle. Work in this project complements Program Element (PE) 0602146A (Network C3I Technology) / Project AN3 (Non- Traditional Waveforms Technology), PE 0602213A (C3I Applied Cyber) / Project 2CY (Information Trust Technology), PE 0602213A (C3I Applied Cyber) / Project CY6 (Autonomous Cyber Technology), PE, 0602146A (Network C3I Technology) / Project CI3 (Mobile and Survivable Command Post (MASCP) Tech), PE 0603457A (C3I Cyber Advanced Development) / Project 8CY (Information Trust Advanced Technology), PE 0603463A (Network C3I Advanced Technology) / Project AN4 (Non-Traditional Waveforms Advanced Technology), PE 0603457A (C3I Cyber Advanced Development) / Project 6CY (Autonomous Cyber Advanced Technology), PE 0603463A (Network C3I Advanced Technology) / Project AM7 (Modular RF Communications Advanced Technology), and PE 0603463A (Network C3I Advanced Technology) / Project CI7 (Mobile and Survivable Command Post (MASCP) Adv Tech). Work in this project is performed by Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Analysis Center (DAC).

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Understanding, Protecting, and Enabling CEMA Effects | 2.2 | 0.0 | — |
| Vulnerability Analysis Methodology for CEMA Threats | 2.2 | — | — |

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

## Mission & acquisition strategy

This PE investigates, designs, validates, and conducts experimentation to establish technical solutions for creating integrated future equipment and systems that improve resiliency, survivability, operational effectiveness, mobility, sustainability, and readiness of ground forces. This PE provides mid-to-long term tactical Command, Control, Communications and Intelligence (C3I) capabilities (e.g., networking, cyber, electronic warfare, Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT), space, persistent surveillance) based upon promising technologies that address emerging and future threats and includes research critical and unique to the Army and DoW (e.g., atmospheric modeling and meteorological…

## Related program elements

- [1203710SF — EO/IR Weather System Dev](https://hitchintel.com/programs/1203710SF) (Space Force)
- [0207573F — Prompt Diagnostics](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0207573F) (Air Force)
- [0603042A — C3I Advanced Technology](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0603042A) (Army)
- [0603261N — Tactical Airborne Reconnaissance](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0603261N) (Navy)

## Source & machine access

- **Source:** FY2027 Department of the Army RDT&E Budget Justification, Exhibits R-2/R-3, PE 0602182A (PB PB2027); FY2027 NDAA committee marks (as of 2026-07-27).
- **MCP:** `mcp.hitchintel.com` — `budget_get_program_element(pe="0602182A")`.

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