Foreign Comparative Testing
The Foreign Comparative Testing (FCT) Program supports projects evaluating already developed technologies by Partner Nations, verifying performance and validating capability to meet U.S. needs. In doing so, the FCT program directly aligns to the National Defense Strategy (NDS) through increasing joint lethality in contested environments, strengthening partnerships, and fostering reform through delivery of capability at the speed of relevance. FCT individual projects typically average less than $1.00 million each and complete within 12-36 months. Projects are proposed by the Military Services and U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), and other U.S. Government agencies. Projects are selected using a merit-based process that identifies the most promising, innovative, and cost-effective solutions to meet warfighter requirements. Project selection process emphasizes transitioning technologies into current or future programs of record. Selection is also based on the potential to yield cost, schedule, or performance improvements over existing capabilities.
FY2027 planned work Funding decreases to zero as efforts be transition / listed by the P&E focus areas.
FY2026 to FY2027 change Funding decreases to zero as efforts be transition / listed by the P&E focus areas.
FY2026 plans — current year Funding decreases to zero as efforts be transition / listed by the Prototyping & Experimentation (P&E) focus areas.
FY2025 accomplishments The ICE anticipates supporting one or two new projects spread across the OUSD R&E focus areas and Service readiness requirements in support of Joint Warfighting Concepts in FY2025. Deliverables will include integrated products and software that enhance warfighting capabilities across multi-domain battlefield environments. This will be accomplished through test and evaluation of prototypes, demonstrations, and concept experimentation in coordination with the Services, United States Special Operations Command, Combatant Commands, and other DoD Agencies.
FY2027 planned work Increase provides funding for critical Kill Web proposals, currently under assessment for FY 2027, which support Joint Kill Web Interoperability. FCT project selection for FY 2027 will occur May thru September 2026 enabling selection of emerging technologies for evaluation commencing in FY 2027.
FY2026 to FY2027 change In FY 2027, funding for Kill Web Interoperability efforts may increases if suitable projects that support this focus area are competitively selected.
FY2026 plans — current year No increase in funding as no suitable technologies were selected as FCT projects in FY 2026.
FY2027 planned work Resilient Communications will continue to support the execution of efforts selected in previous fiscal years. As new projects are selected, they will be aligned to the focus area based on the technology and transition plan. FCT project selection for FY 2027 will occur May thru September 2026 enabling selection of emerging technologies for evaluation commencing in FY 2027.
FY2026 to FY2027 change FY 2027 increase is due to anticipated increase of the number of projects selected and project tails from previous fiscal years.
FY2026 plans — current year Resilient Communications will continue to support the execution of efforts selected in previous fiscal years. As new projects are selected, they will be aligned to the focus area based on the technology and transition plan.
FY2027 planned work Sensors and Data Analytics will continue to support the execution of efforts selected in previous fiscal years. In FY2027 as individual projects are identified and incorporated under the focus area, the available funding in this focus area may decrease or increase based on number of projects selected and project tails from previous fiscal years. FCT project selection for FY 2027 will occur May thru September 2026 enabling selection of emerging technologies for evaluation commencing in FY 2027.
FY2026 to FY2027 change For FY 2027 funding decreases from FY 2026 to FY 2027 due to overall PE Funding decrease and close out of previous fiscal year projects. The Department aims to accelerate fielding while reducing the total investment for domestic development. This strategic focus on transitioning existing foreign prototypes enables the Joint force to achieve leap-ahead improvements through high-impact, cost-efficient technology acquisitions.
FY2026 plans — current year Sensors and Data Analytics will continue to support the execution of efforts selected in previous fiscal years. As new projects are selected, they will be aligned to the focus area based on the technology and transition plan.
FY2027 planned work Collaborative Multi-Domain Autonomy will continue to support the execution of efforts selected in previous fiscal years. As new projects are selected, they will be aligned to the focus area based on the technology and transition plan. FCT project selection for FY 2027 will occur May thru September 2026 enabling selection of emerging technologies for evaluation commencing in FY 2027.
FY2026 to FY2027 change The FY 2027 funding increase is due to an anticipated rise in the number of selected prototype projects and the continuation of project tails from previous fiscal years. These funds are essential for continuously evaluating and rapidly transitioning advanced allied and partner nation technologies that address emerging Department of War capability gaps in contested logistics and sustainment.
FY2026 plans — current year Collaborative Multi-Domain Autonomy will continue to support the execution of efforts selected in previous fiscal years. As new projects are selected, they will be aligned to the focus area based on the technology and transition plan.
FY2027 planned work Contested Logistics / Sustainment will continue to support the execution of efforts selected in previous fiscal years. As new projects are selected, they will be aligned to the focus area based on the technology and transition plan. FCT project selection for FY 2027 will occur May thru September 2026 enabling selection of emerging technologies for evaluation commencing in FY 2027.
FY2026 to FY2027 change The FY 2027 decrease reflects overall Program Element reductions and an anticipated decrease in project tails from previous fiscal years. Consequently, the program is executing a strict strategic prioritization to focus remaining funds on the most critical allied technologies that enable leap-ahead improvements in contested logistics.
FY2026 plans — current year Contested Logistics / Sustainment will continue to support the execution of efforts selected in previous fiscal years. As new projects are selected, they will be aligned to the focus area based on the technology and transition plan.
FY2027 planned work Weapons Kinetic/Non-Kinetic Effects will continue to support the execution of efforts selected in previous fiscal years. As new projects are selected, they will be aligned to the focus area based on the technology and transition plan. FCT project selection for FY 2027 will occur May thru September 2026 enabling selection of emerging technology for evaluation commencing in FY 2027.
FY2026 to FY2027 change The FY 2027 decrease is due to overall Program Element reductions and the planned closeout of previous fiscal year projects. Moving forward, the program is executing a strategic down-select to focus remaining resources on the most critical leap-ahead capabilities in kinetic and non-kinetic weapon effects.
FY2026 plans — current year Weapons Kinetic/Non-Kinetic Effects will continue to support the execution of efforts selected in previous fiscal years. As new projects are selected, they will be aligned to the focus area based on the technologies and transition plan.
FY2027 planned work Emerging Prototype and Enablers will continue to support the execution of efforts selected in previous fiscal years. As new projects are selected, they will be aligned to the focus area based on the technology and transition plan. FCT project selection for FY 2027 will occur May thru September 2026 enabling selection of emerging technologies for evaluation commencing in FY 2027.
FY2026 to FY2027 change The FY 2027 decrease reflects overall Program Element reductions, the planned closeout of previous fiscal year projects, and a structured reduction in new project starts. This planned profile ensures remaining resources are strategically prioritized to accelerate the most urgent Emerging Prototypes and Enablers that address critical joint warfighter capability gaps.
FY2026 plans — current year Emerging Prototype and Enablers will continue to support the execution of efforts selected in previous fiscal years. As new projects are selected, they will be aligned to the focus area based on the technology and transition plan.