What project 663 buys
Threats to communication systems emanate from a variety of sources, encompassing electromagnetic, cyber, and kinetic elements, among others. The central objective of research and development in network communications is to guide the Services, partners, and industry towards the creation of fully networked and integrated capabilities that exhibit interoperability, resilience, and security. This involves the strategic identification and acceleration of critical technologies, leading to their transition to both strategic and tactical forces. The goal is to ensure that C3 systems are trusted, accessible, and reliable anywhere, anytime, and under any conditions for tactical to strategic missions, thereby enhancing the lethality of the warfighting force. In the face of peer aggressors armed with advanced kinetic and non-kinetic threats, the imperative for trusted and reliable C3 becomes even more pronounced. This capability is viewed not only as a critical deterrence measure but also as essential for providing a decisive and lethal response when required, spanning tactical to strategic missions.
Project 663 funding, FY2025–FY2026
Prior years are actuals, the budget year is the request, and the outyears are the FYDP plan. Estimate types are colored and never summed into one figure. Projects carry the full five-year plan; the activities inside them stop at the budget year.
| Fiscal Year | Estimate Type | Amount ($M) |
|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | Actual | 22.2 |
| FY2026 | Enacted | 19.7 |
1 accomplishment / planned program
The R-2A exhibit — the only level of the budget that describes work that has not happened yet. Activities carry the prior, current and budget year only, no five-year plan. Coverage is partial across the corpus, so count activities, never total them.
FY2026 to FY2027 change The decrease of $19.658 million between FY 2026 and FY 2027 is to realign funds to project 665 NC3 Tech Accelerator to support presidential and departmental priorities.
FY2026 plans — current year Continue to work with CSAs to identify and champion RDT&E prototype initiatives from CSA labs and industry partner IRAD projects with high potential to transition in 1–3 years. Continue funding Critical Technology Research and Development Portfolio Analysis and Accelerated NC3 Technology Research and Development. • Support experimentation and coalition demonstrations. • Work with CSAs to identify standards necessary for moving towards capability-based architecture. • Support CSA programs and technology development to rapidly incorporation necessary technology changes to meet new requirements and improved concepts of operations. • Accelerate fielding of NC3 technologies.
FY2025 accomplishments Continues funding for Critical Technology Research and Development Portfolio Analysis and Accelerated NC3 Technology Research and Development, inclusive of the following innovation opportunity initiatives: • Work with Joint Staff, Combatant Commands, Services, and Agencies (CSAs) to identify minimum viable standards necessary for automatic transport maneuverability enabling ubiquitous communication • Support to CSA programs and technology development to rapidly incorporation necessary technology changes to meet necessary standards • Work with CSAs to identify and champion RDT&E efforts of promising enterprise S&T prototype initiatives from CSA labs and industry partner independent research…