# UnderSea Advantage Block Upgrade (USABU)

**R-2A activity** of project 1162 — Air Warfare (AW)  
**Program element:** 0603673N — Future Naval Capabilities Advanced Tech Dev  
**Component:** U.S. Navy · **Budget Activity:** 3  
**Vintage:** President's Budget PB2027  
**Canonical URL:** https://hitchintel.com/programs/0603673N/1162/a3  
**Parent:** https://hitchintel.com/programs/0603673N/1162

## Summary

This activity requests $11.1M in FY2027, 19% of project 1162, down 2.6% 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.** 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 an A-size sonobuoy that will have increased operational bandwidth. - Complete source array validation and manufacture the second build of the prototype transmit arrays.

**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.

## Before the request year

**FY2026 plans — current year.** UnderSea Advantage Block Upgrade (USABU) - Continue 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. - Continue receive sensor array validation and sonobuoy integration. - Continue development of acoustic source array for an A-size sonobuoy that will have increased operational bandwidth. - Continue source array validation and manufacture the second build of the prototype transmit arrays.

## Funding

| Fiscal Year | Estimate Type | Amount ($M) |
|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | Actual | 0.0 |
| FY2026 | Enacted | 11.4 |
| FY2027 | Request | 11.1 |

> 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 1162

- Robust Environment Technology for Enhanced Recovery to Navy Ships (RETERNS) — FY2027 9.2
- Stick — FY2027 8.5
- Pinball Wizard — FY2027 8.3
- Pegasus — FY2027 7.4
- Automated Non-Destructive Inspection with Machine Learning (ANIMAL) — FY2027 5.5
- Dynamic Optimization of Lift Involving Tactical Transit for Lengthened Engagements (DOOLITTLE) — FY2027 5.0
- Advanced Capability Maritime Effector (ACME) — FY2027 3.2
- Air Warfare — FY2027 0.0
- Digital Expanded Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) Multiple Input, Multiple Output (MIMO) Optimized Radar (DEUMOR) — FY2027 0.0
- Coordinated Advanced Distributed Radio Frequency (RF) Effects (CADRE) — FY2027 0.0
- No-Fatigue Protection Schemes (Non-FAT) — FY2027 0.0

## Source & machine access

- **Source:** FY2027 Department of the Navy RDT&E Budget Justification, Exhibit R-2A, PE 0603673N project 1162 (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.*