# Soldier Systems - Advanced Development — Program Element 0603827A

**Program element:** 0603827A  
**Component:** U.S. Army  
**Appropriation:** 2040 — RDT&E, Army  
**Budget Activity:** 4 — Advanced Component Development & Prototypes  
**Vintage:** President's Budget PB2027  
**Canonical URL:** https://hitchintel.com/programs/0603827A

## Summary

U.S. Army requests $56.1M in FY2027 — the program's peak, before stepping down 44% across the five-year plan. In the FY2027 defense authorization, the House funded it in full; the Senate funded it in full; House appropriators funded it in full. PM SCIE leads the industry work.

## Funding profile

| Fiscal Year | Estimate Type | Amount ($M) |
|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | Actual | 23.4 |
| FY2026 | Enacted | 49.4 |
| FY2027 | Request | 56.1 |
| FY2028 | Outyear | 32.7 |
| FY2029 | Outyear | 32.3 |
| FY2030 | Outyear | 31.2 |
| FY2031 | Outyear | 31.5 |

> 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 | 56.1 | — |
| House NDAA (HASC) | 56.1 | +0.0 |
| Senate NDAA (SASC) | 56.1 | +0.0 |
| House Approps (HAC-D) | 56.1 | +0.0 |

> FY2027 NDAA authorization marks, as of 2026-07-27. Not appropriations or final law.

## Projects (5)

| Project | Title | FY2025 actual | FY2026 enacted | FY2027 request | Move |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S54 | Small Arms Improvement | 7.7 | 21.0 | 31.6 | +50% |
| VS4 | Soldier Protective Equipment | 5.6 | 15.0 | 10.6 | −29% |
| S53 | Clothing And Equipment | 5.7 | 7.8 | 8.3 | +6% |
| CF2 | Integrated Soldier Systems Prototyping (SL CFT) | 3.5 | 3.6 | 3.7 | +2% |
| ET8 | Personnel Airdrop System Development | 0.9 | 1.9 | 1.9 | +0% |

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

### Project S54 — Small Arms Improvement

The Small Arms Improvement Advanced Component Development and Prototypes (ACD&P) program provides funds to mature, demonstrate, test and evaluate emerging technology from Budget Activity (BA) 3 Program Element (PE) 0603607A Joint Service Small Arms Program (JSSAP) Project 627 Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Department of Energy National Laboratories, DEVCOMs and other domestic and foreign sources for small arms weapon systems and technology. Small Arms Improvement supports the Army Modernization priorities through enhancement of Joint Lethality in contested environments by minimizing and eliminating erosion of close combat capability relative to peer competitors in complex terrain as outlined in the National Defense Strategy (NDS). Small and medium weapon systems include weapons ranging up to 40 millimeter in caliber, recoilless rifles, remote weapon systems and chain guns. These efforts focus on improving and maturing designs to enhance lethality, target acquisition and tracking, fire control, usability, training effectiveness and reliability, to include system ammunition and counter unmanned aerial technologies, when developing and/or evaluating standard and non-standard weapon systems. Maturing of technologies through testing and evaluation of sub-system or system prototypes includes advanced lightweight materials, thermal solutions, passive range finders, observation/situational awareness improvements, human-systems integration, robotic armament capabilities, non-lethal capabilities, advanced laser protection for optics, and equipment enhancements. Benefits include continuous improvements to small arms weapon systems, remote weapon systems, fire control equipment, optics, gun barrels, training devices, suppressors, component mounts, weapon mounts, ancillary items and weapon/ammunition/fire control interfaces. Remote Weapon Systems transitions to CPE Autonomy in FY2027.

**Named R-3 performers** (share of this project's FY2027 R-3 total, so they need not reach 100%)**:** PM Soldier Lethality (0.9, 3.0%).

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Weapon Systems | 5.4 | 16.3 | 30.2 |
| Small Arms Weapon Systems Enhancements | 1.1 | 2.4 | 0.5 |
| Combat Optics | 1.0 | 1.4 | 0.4 |
| Fire Control | 0.2 | 0.9 | 0.4 |
| Research and Analysis | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 |

> 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 VS4 — Soldier Protective Equipment

Funding directly supports the research and development of critical Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), with the primary objective of improving Soldier survivability, mobility, and lethality. The project supports efforts to evaluate integrated technologies and prototype systems and supports continual research of test methodologies that expedite PPE technology transitions from the laboratory to operational use. The project supports transitioning capabilities from our Science and Technology (S&T) partners to increase the performance and safety of PPE. The project facilitates testing efforts to evaluate transitioning materials and capabilities that will integrate in the next generation of protective equipment. Funding will continue to support cross-services initiatives to increase commonality.

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soldier Protective Equipment (SPE) | 5.6 | 7.5 | 7.6 |
| Blast Overpressure Sensor System | — | — | 3.0 |

> R-2A activities carry the prior, current and budget year only — no five-year plan. Coverage is partial, so count them, never total them.

### Project S53 — Clothing And Equipment

Funding in this effort supports Defense Digital Transformation and Digital Engineering activities. Funding in this effort supports commonality across all services to provide footwear, uniforms and clothing systems consisting of all layers required to accommodate Warfighters in all environments resulting in integrated systems for the Airborne, Arctic, Arid, Jungle, and Temperate Soldier. PdM Soldier Clothing and Individual Equipment will conduct a broad scope of activities which include development and integration of Warfighter-specific items and sizing, integration of fabrics, uniforms, load-bearing items and Soldier mobility equipment, for operational use in all environments. Funding includes development and technology transition from our Science and Technology Partners to increase performance of Warfighter clothing and equipment. Funding further supports identifying emerging technologies to continuously improve and integrate advanced material capabilities into combat uniforms and equipment. Specific capabilities include Flame Resistance (FR), moisture wicking, vector protection and innovative multi-service efforts to advance camouflage technologies to mitigate multi-spectral and thermal signature detection. Additional advances in existing technologies will continue to improve survivability, sustainability, and lethality by focusing on reducing weight and improving performance, mobility and comfort.

**Named R-3 performers** (share of this project's FY2027 R-3 total, so they need not reach 100%)**:** PM SCIE (0.8, 9.7%).

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soldier Uniforms and Clothing | 3.3 | 3.7 | 4.1 |
| Individual Equipment | 2.4 | 4.2 | 4.2 |

> 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 CF2 — Integrated Soldier Systems Prototyping (SL CFT)

Develop a long-term Soldier/Squad as a System integration platform in connection with Project Polaris, PAE Ground Maneuver Architecture, and the Close Combat Integration Enterprise (CCIE) to ensure interoperability as part of the integrated Joint Forces. Verify and develop emerging prototype digital engineering tools that provide Systems Engineering, Configuration Management, and Evaluation in a virtual and physical environment. Using enhancements to the Adaptive Squad Architecture (ASA) digital tools verify development of interface control documents, and connection points to support the rapid integration of the CCIE programs with all other dismounted Soldier equipment. Prototype capabilities for evaluation and integration include new measurements and methodologies from S&T programs and future requirements. Prioritize early engagement and integration actions in support of INDOPACOM theater exercises and European defense. Funding for this program aligns with the Army's priorities in support of Digital Engineering and Transformation and is a PAE Ground Maneuver and CCIE priority.

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adaptive Squad Architecture Prototyping and Modernization Planning | 2.3 | 2.2 | 2.2 |
| ASA Implementation | 1.3 | 1.4 | 1.5 |

> 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 ET8 — Personnel Airdrop System Development

Funding in this project supports Personnel Airdrop System Development. Project ET8 improves Low-Altitude and High-Altitude personnel parachutes and associated equipment to include canopy improvement based on integration of new technology with the goal of enhancing the insertion capability and the safety of the airborne Soldier and increasing the performance, reliability, and durability of personnel airdrop equipment. This project will transition capabilities from our Science and Technology partners to increase performance and safety of Soldier equipment. It will continue to support cross-service initiatives to improve commonality.

**Named R-3 performers** (share of this project's FY2027 R-3 total, so they need not reach 100%)**:** PM SCIE (0.2, 8.8%).

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personnel Airdrop System Development | 0.9 | 1.9 | 1.9 |

> R-2A activities carry the prior, current and budget year only — no five-year plan. Coverage is partial, so count them, never total them.

## Where the FY2027 request goes

| Category | Share | $M |
|---|---|---|
| Industry primes | 3.4% | 1.9 |
| Government labs & warfare centers | 14% | 8.0 |
| Other / unspecified | 82% | 46.2 |

**Top named industry performers:** .

> R-3 exhibit contract funding, not USAspending obligations.

## Mission & acquisition strategy

This Program Element (PE), Soldier Systems - Advanced Development, manages the Soldier as a system to increase combat effectiveness, test and deliver tangible products that save Soldiers lives and improve combat capability. The PE provides funding for evaluating, developing, and testing emerging technologies and critical Soldier support systems to reduce technology risk. Project CF2: Develop a long-term Soldier/Squad as a System integration platform ICW the Close Combat Integration Enterprise (CCIE) to ensure interoperability as part of the integrated Joint Forces.

ASA continue to research and develop new digital engineering tools to incorporate into the AAT. These tools also inform modernization plans like PROJECT POLARIS, to allow the CCIE to forecast interoperable, integrated Squad/Platoon and Company capabilities to 2030 and beyond. ASA continues to improve using in-house engineering and SETA support, improve and develop new prototype models for the AAT. ASA will continue to conduct market research from other industry and Services for tools to improve the AAT.

## Related program elements

- [0605625A — Manned Ground Vehicle](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0605625A) (Army)
- [0605812A — Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) Engineering and Manufacturing Development Phase (EMD)](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0605812A) (Army)
- [0604273M — Executive Helo Development](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0604273M) (Navy)
- [0207268F — Aircraft Engine Component Improvement Program](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0207268F) (Air Force)

## Source & machine access

- **Source:** FY2027 Department of the Army RDT&E Budget Justification, Exhibits R-2/R-3, PE 0603827A (PB PB2027); FY2027 NDAA committee marks (as of 2026-07-27).
- **MCP:** `mcp.hitchintel.com` — `budget_get_program_element(pe="0603827A")`.

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