# JNT Precision Approach & Ldg Sys — Program Element 0603860N

**Program element:** 0603860N  
**Component:** U.S. Navy  
**Appropriation:** 1319 — RDT&E, Navy  
**Budget Activity:** 4 — Advanced Component Development & Prototypes  
**Vintage:** President's Budget PB2027  
**Canonical URL:** https://hitchintel.com/programs/0603860N

## Summary

U.S. Navy funding ramps 117% to a $73.8M request in FY2027, before stepping down 57% 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. NAWCAD leads the industry work, though an unusually large share flows to government labs and warfare centers.

## Funding profile

| Fiscal Year | Estimate Type | Amount ($M) |
|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | Actual | 4.0 |
| FY2026 | Enacted | 34.0 |
| FY2027 | Request | 73.8 |
| FY2028 | Outyear | 75.1 |
| FY2029 | Outyear | 71.2 |
| FY2030 | Outyear | 43.1 |
| FY2031 | Outyear | 32.1 |

> 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 | 73.8 | — |
| House NDAA (HASC) | 73.8 | +0.0 |
| Senate NDAA (SASC) | 73.8 | +0.0 |
| House Approps (HAC-D) | 73.8 | +0.0 |

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

## Projects (2)

| Project | Title | FY2025 actual | FY2026 enacted | FY2027 request | Move |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9035 | JPALS V2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 71.3 | new start |
| 2329 | JPALS | 4.0 | 34.0 | 2.5 | −93% |

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

### Project 9035 — JPALS V2

JPALS V2 consists of the following capabilities: JPALS Data Link Interface is the integration of an alternative datalink solution into JPALS GPS-based landing systems aboard CVN and LHA/D ships. It provides on-ramp opportunities for legacy (manned) and Air Wing of the Future (AWOTF) (manned/unmanned) aircraft that aligns to PMW/PMA-101 technology roadmap and increases precision navigation capabilities in all operational environments. JPALS M-Code delivers a GPS based precision approach landing capability in all-weather and all-operating environment for CVN and LHA/D ships. This supports contested environment operations for properly equipped manned and unmanned aircraft to include AWOTF. This upgrade will provide development, design and Engineering Development Model (EDM) manufacturing of a JPALS M-Code capable system, in addition to an data link interface that will support the LANTERNS waveform. The JPALS V2 development effort and associated funding began in FY2026 in Project Unit (PU) 2329 as the JPALS Upgrade, but has moved to PU 9035 to clearly articulate CSP (Cost Schedule Performance) of the new ACAT II JPALS V2 program and separate it from the ACAT IC JPALS program in PU 2329. JPALS V2 Milestone B was achieved March 2026.

**Named R-3 performers** (share of this project's FY2027 R-3 total, so they need not reach 100%)**:** NAWCAD (9.8, 14%).

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| JPALS V2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 68.7 |
| Advanced Technology Integration | 0.0 | 0.0 | 2.6 |

> 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 2329 — JPALS

This budget reflects the Department of Defense certified Component Cost Position of the restructured Joint Precision Approach and Landing System (JPALS) program that funds the developmental, testing, and integration activities to implement and field JPALS ship systems that deliver the primary precision approach, landing, on-deck inertial alignment, surveillance, and auto-land capability for current and future low observable manned and unmanned platforms onboard all CVN and LHA/D ships. JPALS provides for development, integration, installation, and test of JPALS on CVN and LHA/D ships in accordance with the Joint Requirements Oversight Council (JROC) May 2018 approved JPALS Capability Production Document (CPD). JPALS will continue to invest in software development in direct support of precision approach and auto-land capabilities for the F-35B/C, MQ-25A, and future air platforms. JPALS effort includes addressing broadened CyberSecurity requirements to remain compliant with software CyberSecurity directives and Information Assurance mandates. Additionally, costs are to enhance Precision Ship-Relative Navigation (PS-RN) for Navy and Marine Corps unmanned, and potentially manned, platforms, via the Landing Autonomous Navigation Technology for Enhanced Recovery to Navy Ships (LANTERNS) Future Naval Capabilities (FNC) and other system improvements.

**Named R-3 performers** (share of this project's FY2027 R-3 total, so they need not reach 100%)**:** NAWCAD (2.5, 100%).

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| JPALS Ship Systems and Test | 1.8 | 1.9 | 1.6 |
| Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) F-35B Marine Corps STOVL and F-35C Navy Carrier Variant Support | 0.6 | 0.7 | 0.4 |
| MQ-25 Support | 1.2 | 1.2 | 0.5 |
| Advanced Technology Integration | 0.4 | 6.3 | 0.0 |
| JPALS upgrade | 0.0 | 23.9 | 0.0 |

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

## Where the FY2027 request goes

| Category | Share | $M |
|---|---|---|
| Industry primes | 17% | 12.2 |
| Government labs & warfare centers | 81% | 59.5 |
| Other / unspecified | 2.9% | 2.1 |

**Top named industry performers:** NAWCAD ($12.2M, 17%).

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

## Mission & acquisition strategy

The Joint Precision Approach and Landing System (JPALS) is the primary precision approach and landing system for CVN and LHA/D ships to support aircraft without AN/SPN-46 Automatic Carrier Landing Systems (ACLS) capability, including F-35B, F-35C, MQ-25A and future platforms. JPALS ship systems are required to provide CVN and LHA/D ships with a primary precision approach capability during night and instrument flight conditions, including coupled approach capability to a hover transition point for LHA/D ships, and coupled approach to the deck (auto-land) capability aboard CVN ships, and contested environments.

Technology Development phase was conducted jointly by NAVAIRSYSCOM (PMA-213), USAF Electronic Systems Command (Global Air) and multiple industry partners. This effort provided the concept of operations, performance specifications and technology readiness levels necessary to provide the foundation from which to launch the Increment 1 System Development and Demonstration (SDD) phase development. Joint Precision Approach and Landing System (JPALS) reached MS-B on 14 July 2008 and the SDD phase development contract was awarded on 17 July 2008.

## Related program elements

- [0604504N — Air Control](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0604504N) (Navy)
- [0603596N — LCS Mission Modules](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0603596N) (Navy)
- [0401318F — CV-22 Rdt&e POST Production](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0401318F) (Air Force)
- [0604715A — Non-System Training Devices - Eng Dev](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0604715A) (Army)

## Source & machine access

- **Source:** FY2027 Department of the Navy RDT&E Budget Justification, Exhibits R-2/R-3, PE 0603860N (PB PB2027); FY2027 NDAA committee marks (as of 2026-07-27).
- **MCP:** `mcp.hitchintel.com` — `budget_get_program_element(pe="0603860N")`.

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