# Vanguard Prospect - EO/IR Sensing Demonstration

**R-2A activity** of project 630320 — Air Force Vanguards  
**Program element:** 0603032F — Air Force Vanguards  
**Component:** U.S. Air Force · **Budget Activity:** 3  
**Vintage:** President's Budget PB2027  
**Canonical URL:** https://hitchintel.com/programs/0603032F/630320/a10  
**Parent:** https://hitchintel.com/programs/0603032F

## Summary

This activity requests $36.5M in FY2027, 13% of project 630320, up 16% on FY2026. The R-2A exhibit describes it across FY2026–FY2027, including what the FY2027 money is planned to buy.

## What the FY2027 request buys

**FY2027 planned work.** - Complete Modeling & Simulation (M&S) to enhance the M&S environment for more realistic scenarios and comprehensive algorithm testing based on available data for verification. - Continue real-time algorithm implementation by developing the core real-time algorithms for EO/IR sensor processing, focusing on basic detection and tracking functionality based on available data. - Continue algorithm optimization by refining and optimizing the existing real-time algorithms based on test results and performance analysis, focusing on improving detection accuracy, tracking robustness, and computational efficiency. - Continue software development & integration by developing the software framework and integration plans for algorithms, hardware control, and data management. - Continue development of advanced algorithm capabilities, such as improved detection sensitivity, multi-target tracking, and sensor/data fusion. - Continue development of a detailed plan for transitioning mature technology to the designated system integrator, including training and support materials. - Continue technical integration activities with the regional situational awareness products platform. - Commence a comprehensive data management plan outlining data collection, storage, processing, analysis, and security procedures.

**FY2026 to FY2027 change.** FY 2027 funding increased compared to FY 2026 by $4.895 million due to commencement of integration efforts and development of advanced algorithm sensing, tracking and data fusion.

## Before the request year

**FY2026 plans — current year.** - Continue Modeling and Simulation (M&S) by conducting simulations to evaluate the effectiveness of the algorithms against realistic scenarios and refine operational concepts. - Complete real-time algorithm implementation by developing the core real-time algorithms for EO/IR sensor processing, focusing on basic detection and tracking functionality. - Complete algorithm optimization by refining and optimizing the existing real-time algorithms based on test results and performance analysis, focusing on improving detection accuracy, tracking robustness, and computational efficiency. - Continue software development and integration by refine software interfaces and integrate the algorithms with the hardware platform being developed in the Demo program. - Commence development of advanced algorithm capabilities, such as improved detection sensitivity, multi-target tracking, and sensor/ data fusion. - Commence work with the designated system integrator to ensure seamless transition of the technology. - Commence planning integration of the situational awareness products to enable data sharing and collaborative operations.

## Funding

| Fiscal Year | Estimate Type | Amount ($M) |
|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | Actual | 26.0 |
| FY2026 | Enacted | 31.6 |
| FY2027 | Request | 36.5 |

> Prior, current and budget year only — an R-2A activity carries no five-year plan. It sums exactly into its project in the request year and not necessarily in any other.

## Other activities in project 630320

- [Vanguard Prospect - Ephemeral Paragon (E-Gon)](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0603032F/630320/a5) — FY2027 45.9
- [Vanguard Pathfinder - Integrated Combat Effects](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0603032F/630320/a13) — FY2027 42.6
- [Vanguard Prospect - CRONUS](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0603032F/630320/a4) — FY2027 38.0
- [Vanguard Prospect - Payload Delivery System](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0603032F/630320/a9) — FY2027 32.9
- [Vanguard Prospect - Scabbard Rage](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0603032F/630320/a8) — FY2027 30.7
- [Vanguard Prospect - APEX GEAR](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0603032F/630320/a7) — FY2027 27.0
- [Vanguard Pathfinder - Integrated Electronic Warfare](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0603032F/630320/a11) — FY2027 13.1
- [Vanguard Pathfinder - Integrated Networks](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0603032F/630320/a12) — FY2027 11.2
- WARTECH — FY2027 4.0
- Vanguard Prospect - Resolute Sentry — FY2027 0.0
- Vanguard Prospect - Area Effects Demonstration — FY2027 0.0
- Vanguard Prospect - Fight Tonight — FY2027 0.0
- Vanguard Prospect - Swift Hammer — FY2027 0.0

## Source & machine access

- **Source:** FY2027 Department of the Air Force RDT&E Budget Justification, Exhibit R-2A, PE 0603032F project 630320 (PB PB2027). Narrative is the government's own text.
- **No marks, no contractors at this grain** — congressional marks land on the program element and R-3 performers on the project.
- **MCP:** `mcp.hitchintel.com` — `budget_get_activity`.

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