# Next Generation Combat Vehicle Advanced Technology — Program Element 0603462A

**Program element:** 0603462A  
**Component:** U.S. Army  
**Appropriation:** 2040 — RDT&E, Army  
**Budget Activity:** 3 — Advanced Technology Development  
**Vintage:** President's Budget PB2027  
**Canonical URL:** https://hitchintel.com/programs/0603462A

## Summary

U.S. Army funding falls 62% to a $118.2M request in FY2027 (down from a FY2026 peak), sustained across the five-year plan. In the FY2027 defense authorization, the House added 21% (to $143.6M); the Senate added 12% (to $132.2M); House appropriators added 154% (to $299.8M).

## Funding profile

| Fiscal Year | Estimate Type | Amount ($M) |
|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | Actual | 240.1 |
| FY2026 | Enacted | 308.2 |
| FY2027 | Request | 118.2 |
| FY2028 | Outyear | 146.6 |
| FY2029 | Outyear | 145.9 |
| FY2030 | Outyear | 153.2 |
| FY2031 | Outyear | 159.3 |

> 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 | 118.2 | — |
| House NDAA (HASC) | 143.6 | +25.4 |
| Senate NDAA (SASC) | 132.2 | +14.0 |
| House Approps (HAC-D) | 299.8 | +181.6 |

> 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BG7 | Ground Systems Active Defense (GSAD) Advanced Tech | 51.2 | 43.5 | 46.3 | +6% |
| BF4 | Combat Vehicle Robotics Adv Tech | 50.7 | 32.9 | 23.2 | −30% |
| BH8 | Enhanced VETRONICS Advanced Technology | 15.9 | 5.0 | 22.5 | +346% |
| BG1 | Sensors for Auto Oper and Survivability Adv Tech | 9.6 | 8.9 | 13.8 | +54% |
| BK6 | Adv Direct InDirect Armament Sys (ADIDAS) Adv Tech | 6.1 | 10.9 | 9.1 | −17% |
| BF7 | Crew Augmentation and Optimization Adv Tech | 4.4 | 3.4 | 3.4 | +0% |
| BP6 | Ground Vehicle Advanced Technology(CA) | 86.0 | 189.7 | — | −100% |
| BH6 | Platform Electrification and Mobility Adv Tech | 11.0 | 7.6 | — | −100% |
| BG3 | Modeling and Simulation for MUMT Advanced Tech | 3.5 | 5.1 | — | −100% |
| BI3 | Sensor Protection Advanced Technology | 1.7 | 1.0 | — | −100% |

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

### Project BG7 — Ground Systems Active Defense (GSAD) Advanced Tech

This project matures and demonstrates protection and survivability technologies to increase the survivability of ground vehicles and the protection of the Soldiers who depend on them. The tasks will focus on component maturation and demonstration and transfer products for demonstration as holistic (vehicle level) solutions. The project will mature and demonstrate technologies to defeat threats throughout the timeline of a threat engagement; from obscuring a target, to actively defeat a threat and through mitigating its effects after engagement. These technologies include the active employment of smoke, physical and electronic active protection, advanced and adaptive armors, advanced and active blast mitigation systems and adaptive interior protection. This project will be coordinated with Program Element (PE) 0602145A (Next Generation Combat Vehicle Technology) and transitions to PE 0604852A (Suite of Vehicle Protection Systems - EMD). Work in this project is performed by the Ground Vehicle System Center (GVSC) and Command, Control, Computers, Communications, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C5ISR) Center

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced Radar and Soft-Kill (A-RASK) Suite | 6.6 | — | — |
| Soft-Kill System Development | 12.8 | 16.0 | — |
| Survivability Capability Characterization and Demonstration | 2.5 | — | — |
| APS Residuals Protection Maturation and Complex Threat Attack Protection (CTAP) | 6.7 | — | — |
| Controls and Architecture | 2.6 | — | — |
| Hard Kill Active Protection System (HK APS) Development, Integration, and Demonstration | 19.0 | — | — |
| Integrated Signature Management | 0.9 | 1.6 | 1.5 |
| Next Generation Adaptive Armor | — | 5.9 | — |
| Collaborative Defense | — | 18.6 | 25.9 |
| Active Protection | — | — | 12.5 |
| Armor | — | — | 6.5 |

> 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 BF4 — Combat Vehicle Robotics Adv Tech

This project cultivates the industrial ecosystem for robotics and autonomy by shepherding an industry-developed common Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) that drives interoperability, fosters competition, lowers the barrier to entry for partners, and prevents vendor lock. CoVeR delivers shared standards, enabling technologies and Army-specific technical expertise, ensuring the scalable integration of best-of-breed, multi-domain robotic and autonomous system capabilities into Army formations to maintain battlefield overmatch. This project is also coordinated with Program Element (PE) 0602145A (Next Generation Combat Vehicle Technology), and transitions to PE 0604017A. Work in this project is performed by the Ground Vehicle System Center (GVSC).

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Platform Electronic Control | 4.3 | 7.7 | — |
| Unmanned Maneuver | 16.0 | — | — |
| Soldier-Robotic Interface Integration | 5.0 | 3.2 | — |
| Small UGV as Deployable Sensor | 2.0 | — | — |
| Human - Machine Integrated Formations (H-MIF) | 23.4 | — | — |
| Unmanned Maneuver Demonstration. | — | 22.1 | 23.2 |

> 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 BH8 — Enhanced VETRONICS Advanced Technology

This project matures, integrates and demonstrates critical mobile and on-platform power, on-platform compute and network capabilities to enable advanced combat vehicles and dismounted Soldier effectiveness. This project will optimize increased onboard processing capacity, secure data networks, multi-classification architectures, high-power battery systems, mobility systems, mobile power generation, and on-platform power generation and distribution. These systems are all critical to enable emerging autonomy, AI enabled capabilities and power-hungry warfighting technologies. This project will leverage industry collaboration to accelerate technology integration and deployment to reduce acquisition timelines Building upon PEO GCS's Common Infrastructure Architecture (GCIA), this effort will foster collaborative partnerships between Army laboratories and centers and private industry to advance open system data architectures for military ground vehicles. This approach enables common interfaces and capability implementations, providing an open architecture that allows platforms and industry partners to accept future technologies without significant re-design as emerging technologies are developed and integrated. The result will be a scalable, adaptable, and rapidly deployable foundation for next-generation military capabilities. Key technical challenges include increasing processing capacity, power and energy storage density while minimizing size, weight, and effectively managing thermal load. Ensuring data separation across complex multi-classification architectures also presents a significant challenge. Success will enable faster integration of autonomy/AI capabilities along with emerging power-hungry warfighting technologies. This will reduce reliance on proprietary solutions and support a more agile and responsive force. Research in this project is coordinated with Program Element (PE) 0602145A (Next Generation Combat Vehicle Technology). Work in this project is performed by the Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC)

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enhanced - Vehicle Electronics (E-Vetronics) | 15.9 | 5.0 | 5.1 |
| Vehicle Mobility and Power | — | — | 3.9 |
| Operational Evaluation of Commercial Batteries | — | — | 3.2 |
| Mobile Charging System for Dismounted EW and UAVs | — | — | 2.5 |
| Next Gen Batteries | — | — | 7.8 |

> 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 BG1 — Sensors for Auto Oper and Survivability Adv Tech

This project matures, optimizes, and demonstrates automated, advanced multi-function sensors and integrates threat cueing capabilities for operations in full spectrum, complex environments, for next generation manned, optionally manned, and robotic platform applications. This Project will deliver sensor payloads which provide greatly increased situational awareness (e.g., pre-shot and hostile fire detection, threat classification) in all environments for manned and unmanned ground vehicle systems. Work in this project is performed by the Command, Control, Computers, Communications, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C5ISR) Center

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced Sensors with Embedded Processing | 5.8 | 5.4 | — |
| Multi-Mission Payload | 3.8 | 3.6 | — |
| Multi-mission Sensors and Processing for Expanded Maneuver | — | — | 12.7 |
| Sensor Protection Advanced Technology | — | — | 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 BK6 — Adv Direct InDirect Armament Sys (ADIDAS) Adv Tech

This project matures and demonstrates technologies for large caliber direct fire light-weight armament systems that will exceed the current capability of 120 millimeter (mm) direct fire cannons and be optimized for future operational environment with cross-domain engagement capability. Specifically, this project integrates and demonstrates technologies for rapid fire on-the-move at all elevations (direct & indirect), compact ammunition design with advanced ignition, advanced recoil mitigation to reduce impulse and allow integration onto lighter platforms, and automated ammunition handling and reloading. This project also supports open architecture to enable supervised autonomy and remote operation and integrates intelligent fire control to address multi-domain targets from manned and unmanned platforms. Work in this project is related to and fully integrated with the efforts funded in Program Element (PE) 0602145A (Next Generation Combat Vehicle Technology) and PE 0604115A (Technology Maturation Initiatives). Work in this project complements Program Element (PE) 0602145A (Next Generation Combat Vehicle Technology) / Project BK5 (Adv Direct In-Direct Armament Sys (ADIDAS) Tech) and Program Element (PE) 0603464A (Long Range Precision Fires Advanced Technology) / Project CE9 (Armaments Advanced Technology). Work in this project is performed by the Armaments Center (AC)

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced Lethality Armament System for Large Caliber Advanced Tech | 6.1 | 7.4 | 5.7 |
| Breaching Technology for Combat Engineering Operations (AT-CEO) | — | 3.5 | 3.4 |

> 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 BF7 — Crew Augmentation and Optimization Adv Tech

This project rapidly matures and demonstrates advanced commercial technologies to enhance crew performance and enable crew augmentation and optimization for closed hatch operations of ground vehicle platforms in a complex multi-domain operations environment. This includes rapid integration of intelligent systems, leveraging machine learning, to improve dynamic tasking, full crew interactions, decision aids, early warnings, command and control, crew use of UAS/Counter-UAS capabilities, to reduce response times and shorten task durations, and to optimize tasking and function. Mature technologies are incorporated onto existing or prototype Army-owned technology demonstrators so that performance of the enabling technologies can be evaluated and the delivery of critical capabilities that optimize crew performance can be accelerated . Work in this project is also coordinated with work in Program Element (PE) 0602145A (Next Generation Combat Vehicle Technology) and PE 0602143 (Soldier Lethality Technology). Work in this project is performed by the Ground Vehicle System Center (GVSC)

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crew Augmentation and Optimization Advanced Technology | 4.4 | 3.4 | 3.4 |

> 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 BP6 — Ground Vehicle Advanced Technology(CA)

Congressional Interest Item funding provided for Ground Vehicle Advanced Technology.

### Project BH6 — Platform Electrification and Mobility Adv Tech

This project matures, integrates and demonstrates high power technologies for manned and unmanned Next Generation Combat Vehicle (NGCV) platforms. High power technologies will enable advanced on-board power-based payloads such as directed energy weapons, and provide new capabilities such as improved acceleration, extended silent mobility and silent watch. This project will also mature, integrate and demonstrate technologies to increase on-board vehicle power such as a high voltage/temperature generator and high power, high temperature electronics as well as technologies to reduce power demands including composite rubber band track and adaptive hydro-strut suspension. This project matures, integrates and demonstrates energy storage technologies and addresses associated supply chain challenges to enable domestic suppliers. This project also continues work leveraging the Department of Energy and the Department of War with a focus on energy storage, providing an emphasis on developing advanced technologies that enable military ground vehicles to improve platform mobility and lethality. Work in this project complements Program Element (PE) 0602145A (Next Generation Combat Vehicle Technology) / Project BH5 (Platform Electrification and Mobility Tech). Work in this project is performed by the Ground Vehicle System Center (GVSC).

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| System/Vehicle Integration and Test | 2.1 | — | — |
| Battery Technologies for Supply Chain Security | 8.9 | 4.7 | — |
| Advanced Running Gear and Suspension System Technology | — | 2.9 | — |

> 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 BG3 — Modeling and Simulation for MUMT Advanced Tech

This project matures and demonstrates modeling and simulation (M&S) tools/technologies to assess and improve freedom of movement for ground forces and supports vehicle developers by addressing challenges for robotic and ground vehicles. This project matures and demonstrates obstacle detection capabilities for autonomous systems operating in complex environments. This project also matures and demonstrates real-time mobility decision support tools, vehicle-terrain interaction models for autonomous convoy operations, simulation tools for vehicle mobility in highly altered terrain, and M&S tools for predicting the performance of autonomous vehicles. These M&S technologies can be integrated across Army vehicle platforms as required. Work in this project is coordinated with Program Element (PE) 0602145A (Next Generation Combat Vehicle Technology) / Project BG2 (Modeling and Simulation for MUMT Technology). Work in this project is performed by the United States Army Engineer Research and Development Center Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory.

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autonomous Vehicle/Terrain Interactions Demonstration | 3.5 | 5.1 | — |

> 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 BI3 — Sensor Protection Advanced Technology

This project matures and demonstrates novel sensor protection capabilities which dramatically reduce the susceptibility of our thermal electro-optic/infrared (EO/IR) sensors to ever increasing threats on the battlefield. This project enables continuation of the mission despite potential threat laser engagements. Low-cost modular solutions will be demonstrated that can be applied across current and planned EO/IR targeting, surveillance, and situational awareness sensor systems against existing and emerging threats in support of combined arms maneuver. Research in this project is coordinated with Program Element (PE) 0602145A (Next Generation Combat Vehicle Technology), 0602143A (Soldier Lethality Technology), 0603465A (Future Vertical Lift Advanced Technology) and 0603118A (Soldier Lethality Advanced Technology). Work in this project is performed by the Command, Control, Computers, Communications, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C5ISR) Center

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sensor Protection Advanced Technology | 1.7 | 1.0 | — |

> 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 Program Element (PE) executes development, maturation, and demonstration for the Army's modernization priority for the Next Generation of Combat Vehicle (NCCV). This PE matures, integrates and demonstrates combat vehicle technologies that enable the Army to have a smarter, faster, more lethal, more precise, more protected, and more adaptable force. Technology development builds upon the foundational vehicle architectures to support the NGCV, to include autonomy architecture, power architecture, vehicle electronic architecture, physical architecture, lethality architecture and vehicle protection architecture.

## Related program elements

- [0602145A — Next Generation Combat Vehicle Technology](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0602145A) (Army)
- [0603275A — Electronic Warfare Advanced Technology](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0603275A) (Army)
- [0604280N — JT Tactical RADIO System (JTRS)](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0604280N) (Navy)
- [0304785N — ISR & INFO Operations](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0304785N) (Navy)

## Source & machine access

- **Source:** FY2027 Department of the Army RDT&E Budget Justification, Exhibits R-2/R-3, PE 0603462A (PB PB2027); FY2027 NDAA committee marks (as of 2026-07-27).
- **MCP:** `mcp.hitchintel.com` — `budget_get_program_element(pe="0603462A")`.

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