# Project 1162 — Air Warfare (AW)

**Program element:** 0603673N — Future Naval Capabilities Advanced Tech Dev  
**Project:** 1162  
**Component:** U.S. Navy  
**Appropriation:** 1319 — RDT&E, Navy  
**Budget Activity:** 3 — Advanced Technology Development  
**Vintage:** President's Budget PB2027  
**Canonical URL:** https://hitchintel.com/programs/0603673N/1162  
**Parent:** https://hitchintel.com/programs/0603673N

## Summary

Project 1162 — Air Warfare (AW) requests $58.2M in FY2027, 13% of the $446.0M requested for program element 0603673N, down 1.8% on FY2026. 12 R-2A activities decompose the request, 2 new this cycle.

## Funding profile

| Fiscal Year | Estimate Type | Amount ($M) |
|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | Actual | 46.6 |
| FY2026 | Enacted | 59.2 |
| FY2027 | Request | 58.2 |
| FY2028 | Outyear | 44.3 |
| FY2029 | Outyear | 12.5 |
| FY2030 | Outyear | 0.0 |
| FY2031 | Outyear | 0.0 |

> Estimate types are not summed. This project is one leaf of PE 0603673N; the PE total is the sum of its projects, never added to them.

## What project 1162 buys

The Air Warfare Project focuses on the advanced technology development of new capabilities that leverage the underlying applied research investments in Program Element (PE) 0602750N, Future Naval Capabilities (FNC) Applied Research. These advanced technology investments align to acquisition programs of record. Efforts include human machine interfaces for unmanned platforms and payloads that will assist with delegation of resources from one operator to another, airframe corrosion protection, and a Carrier Air Wing performance assessment tool that uses live, virtual, and constructive data to improve pilot and aircrew performance in near real-time. Different software efforts address unique and specific requirements.

## Activities (R-2A) — 12

| Activity | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 | Move | Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UnderSea Advantage Block Upgrade (USABU) | 0.0 | 11.4 | 11.1 | −3% | [a3](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0603673N/1162/a3) |
| Robust Environment Technology for Enhanced Recovery to Navy Ships (RETERNS) | 0.0 | 5.8 | 9.2 | +59% | — |
| Stick | 0.0 | 8.5 | 8.5 | −0% | — |
| Pinball Wizard | 0.0 | 8.6 | 8.3 | −4% | — |
| Pegasus | 0.0 | 0.0 | 7.4 | new | — |
| Automated Non-Destructive Inspection with Machine Learning (ANIMAL) | 0.0 | 4.3 | 5.5 | +28% | — |
| Dynamic Optimization of Lift Involving Tactical Transit for Lengthened Engagements (DOOLITTLE) | 0.0 | 0.0 | 5.0 | new | — |
| Advanced Capability Maritime Effector (ACME) | 0.0 | 8.0 | 3.2 | −60% | — |
| Air Warfare | 46.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | — | — |
| Digital Expanded Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) Multiple Input, Multiple Output (MIMO) Optimized Radar (DEUMOR) | 0.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 | −100% | — |
| Coordinated Advanced Distributed Radio Frequency (RF) Effects (CADRE) | 0.0 | 6.0 | 0.0 | −100% | — |
| No-Fatigue Protection Schemes (Non-FAT) | 0.0 | 4.7 | 0.0 | −100% | — |

> Activities carry the prior, current and budget year only — no five-year plan. In the request year they partition this project exactly; in earlier years they can under-cover it.

### UnderSea Advantage Block Upgrade (USABU)

UnderSea Advantage Block Upgrade (USABU) - Complete development of a large, low-noise volumetric array that can be deployed in an A-size sonobuoy that will have superior detection performance against relevant targets. - Complete receive sensor array validation and sonobuoy integration. - Complete development of acoustic source array for…

Full year-by-year narrative: https://hitchintel.com/programs/0603673N/1162/a3

### Robust Environment Technology for Enhanced Recovery to Navy Ships (RETERNS)

**FY2027 planned work.** Robust Environment Technology for Enhanced Recovery to Navy Ships (RETERNS) - Continue development and field testing of initial hardware/software prototype system design to enable rapid fielding of interim capability. - Initiate next-level component design, system development, and laboratory testing of final prototype hardware/software to meet full system operational requirements.

**FY2026 to FY2027 change.** The increase from FY 2026 to FY 2027 is due to initiation of next-level component design, system development, and laboratory testing of the final prototype hardware/software to meet full system operational requirements.

**FY2026 plans — current year.** Robust Environment Technology for Enhanced Recovery to Navy Ships (RETERNS) - Continue the RETERNS FNC by continuing to define requirements and originating multi-phased development of a system design effective within both permissive and contested environments. - Continue laboratory testing of the RETERNS system preliminary design to predict and analyze key hardware and software subsystem performance.

### Stick

**FY2027 planned work.** Stick - Complete Stick data collection and algorithm testing based on FY25 studies; - Complete maturation of Stick FNC algorithm based on a target performance study; - Complete integration of Stick software on the Wideband Receiver or surrogate; - Complete surrogate flight testing and initiation of platform flight test planning; - Initiate and complete final demonstration of Open Mission System (OMS) and Government Reference Architecture messaging; - Initiate and complete Stick flight demonstration on platform as graduation exercise.

**FY2026 to FY2027 change.** The small decrease from FY 2026 to FY 2027 does not reflect a significant change in the investment for this FNC.

**FY2026 plans — current year.** Stick - Continue Stick data collection and algorithm testing based on FY25 studies. - Finalize Open Mission System (OMS) messaging. - Mature the Stick FNC algorithm based on a target performance study. - Perform surrogate flight testing and initiate platform flight test planning. - Begin Stick FNC software integration into the Wideband Receiver.

### Pinball Wizard

**FY2027 planned work.** Pinball Wizard - Continue data collection to inform Modeling and Simulation of signals environments to identify appropriate Program of Record hardware. - Continue development of models, design signal processing techniques, communications capabilities, mission planner, and identify metrics. - Continue planning for field tests of integrated hardware to study performance limitations. - Continue development Concepts of Operation and Employment in conjunction with stakeholders.

**FY2026 to FY2027 change.** The small decrease from FY 2026 to FY 2027 does not represent a significant change to the investment for this FNC.

**FY2026 plans — current year.** Pinball Wizard - Initiate data collection to inform Modeling and Simulation of signals environments to identify appropriate Program of Record hardware. - Initiate development of models, design signal processing techniques, and identify metrics. - Initiate planning for field tests of integrated hardware to study performance limitations. - Initiate Concept of Operation and implementation studies for development of a mission planner.

### Pegasus — NEW START

**FY2027 planned work.** Pegasus - Initiate C5ISR-T system requirements and design for integration on Naval rotorcraft. - Initiate algorithm analysis, modeling, and optimization leading to freedom of maneuver in contested environments.

**FY2026 to FY2027 change.** The increase from FY 2026 to FY 2027 is due to the selection of this FNC to initiate in FY 2027 due to promising technology maturation from applied research investments previously made in BA 02 in 0602750N. This is not a new start.

### Automated Non-Destructive Inspection with Machine Learning (ANIMAL)

**FY2027 planned work.** Automated Non-Destructive Inspection with Machine Learning (ANIMAL) - Continue developing the software solutions architecture for the Automated Non-Destructive Inspection with Machine Learning (ANIMAL) Future Naval Capability. - Continue algorithm training for automated defect detection, classification, and sizing capabilities on calibration standards. - Initiate algorithm optimization using fleet datasets from legacy inspections.

**FY2026 to FY2027 change.** The increase from FY 2026 to FY 2027 is due to initiating algorithm optimization using fleet datasets from legacy inspections.

**FY2026 plans — current year.** Automated Non-Destructive Inspection with Machine Learning (ANIMAL) - Initiate and develop the software solutions architecture for the Automated Non-Destructive Inspection with Machine Learning (ANIMAL) Future Naval Capability. - Initiate algorithm training for automated defect detection, classification, and sizing capabilities on calibration standards.

### Dynamic Optimization of Lift Involving Tactical Transit for Lengthened Engagements (DOOLITTLE) — NEW START

**FY2027 planned work.** Dynamic Optimization of Lift Involving Tactical Transit for Lengthened Engagements (DOOLITTLE) - Initiate multi-ship formation flight requirements and concept of operations. - Initiate multi-ship automatic formation flight control software development and evaluate in simulation environment.

**FY2026 to FY2027 change.** The increase from FY 2026 to FY 2027 is due to the selection of this FNC to initiate in FY 2027 due to promising technology maturation from applied research investments previously made in BA 02 in 0602750N. This is not a new start.

### Advanced Capability Maritime Effector (ACME)

**FY2027 planned work.** Advanced Capability Maritime Effector (ACME) - Continue development of the Powdered Fuel Ramjet Technology development. - Complete all work on the Continue Solid Fuel Ramjet (SFRJ) fuel and regression characterization and the laboratory testing of the preliminary MFRJ design, switching the entire effort to focus on the development of the Powdered Fuel Ramjet Technology.

**FY2026 to FY2027 change.** The decrease from FY 2026 to FY 2027 is due to this FNC being descoped to focus on developing just the Ramjet fuel technology.

**FY2026 plans — current year.** Advanced Capability Maritime Effector (ACME) - Initiate Propulsion and Airframe system requirements and design for the Advanced Capability Maritime Effector (ACME) Future Naval Capability. - Initiate Solid Fuel Ramjet (SFRJ) fuel and regression characterization leading to early engine sub-component testing. - Initiate Powdered Fuel Ramjet Technology development.

### Digital Expanded Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) Multiple Input, Multiple Output (MIMO) Optimized Radar (DEUMOR)

**FY2026 to FY2027 change.** The decrease from FY 2026 to FY 2027 is due to the completion of this FNC in FY 2026.

**FY2026 plans — current year.** Digital Expanded Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) Multiple Input, Multiple Output (MIMO) Optimized Radar (DEUMOR) - Complete the DEUMOR FNC, originally planned to finish in FY 2025, by completing flight testing of prototype hardware and software. - Validate exit criteria and technical performance parameters. - Deliver final design package for transition to the Program of Record.

### Coordinated Advanced Distributed Radio Frequency (RF) Effects (CADRE)

**FY2026 to FY2027 change.** The decrease from FY 2026 to FY 2027 is due to the completion of this FNC in FY 2026.

**FY2026 plans — current year.** Coordinated Advanced Distributed Radio Frequency (RF) Effects (CADRE) - Complete development of novel technology capabilities to enable advanced distributed and coordinated airborne electronic attack techniques to defeat advanced threats. - Complete and test firmware enhancements to enable coordinated techniques in the host platform. - Complete and test hardware-in-the-loop experimentation to evaluate effectiveness of single platform enhancements. - Complete development and testing of the multi-platform coordination capability.

### No-Fatigue Protection Schemes (Non-FAT)

**FY2026 to FY2027 change.** The decrease from FY 2026 to FY 2027 is due to the completion of this FNC in FY 2026.

**FY2026 plans — current year.** No-Fatigue Protection Schemes (Non-FAT) - Complete this FNC by validating processing parameters and performance of Electrolytic Conversion Coating (ECC) versus baselines technologies, including structural characterization. - Demonstrate component processing at depot. - Initiate/Complete Tech Warrant Holder (TWH) authorization package for ECC transition.

## What is NOT on this page

Congressional marks, the R-2 mission description and acquisition strategy, the industry vs government split of the whole request, and related program elements are recorded at **program-element** grain — an NDAA mark lands on a PE, never on a project. They are at https://hitchintel.com/programs/0603673N.

## Source & machine access

- **Source:** FY2027 Department of the Navy RDT&E Budget Justification, Exhibits R-2/R-2A/R-3, PE 0603673N project 1162 (PB PB2027).
- **MCP:** `mcp.hitchintel.com` — `budget_get_program_element(pe="0603673N")`.

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