# Next Gen Sensors Tech Maturation/Risk Reduction

**R-2A activity** of project 642001 — Next Gen Sensors Tech Maturation/Risk Reduction  
**Program element:** 0604257F — Advanced Technology and Sensors  
**Component:** U.S. Air Force · **Budget Activity:** 4  
**Vintage:** President's Budget PB2027  
**Canonical URL:** https://hitchintel.com/programs/0604257F/642001/a0  
**Parent:** https://hitchintel.com/programs/0604257F/642001

## Summary

This activity requests $15.0M in FY2027, 39% of project 642001, up 25% 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.** - Will demonstrate inoperability with Sensing for Asset Protection using Integrated Electronic Network Technology (SAPIENT), a "FIVE EYES" and NATO sense-making standard. - Will complete a hybrid transition of Birdbox with AFRL. - Will demonstrate completed integration of initial NAVAIR ATRs into Birdbox. - Will demonstrate Collaborative Teaming with Birdbox follow-on Adaptive Tactical Real-time ISR Unified framework for Mixed platforms (ATRIUM). - Will refine small Unmanned Aerial System (s-UAS) ATR training using data collections from demonstrations. - Will continue to mature existing ATRs for maritime detections and fusion. - Will flight demonstrate an AgilePod sense and sense-making solution. - Will deploy WASP into an IL-6 environment. - Will investigate and incorporate a large language model into WASP.

**FY2026 to FY2027 change.** Funding increased due to increased Air Force development in Counter-Long Range Kill Chain initiatives. Additional details available at a higher classification.

## Before the request year

**FY2026 plans — current year.** - Develop modular, real-time, multi-domain battlespace awareness in highly contested environments with the following activities. - Complete transition of Birdbox. - Complete integration of NAVAIR ATRs into Birdbox. - Support Collaborative Teaming demonstration. - Mature existing automatic target recognition (ATS) algorithms for maritime detections and fusion.

## Funding

| Fiscal Year | Estimate Type | Amount ($M) |
|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | Actual | 8.1 |
| FY2026 | Enacted | 12.0 |
| FY2027 | Request | 15.0 |

> 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 642001

- [Resolute Sentry](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0604257F/642001/a1) — FY2027 23.8

## Source & machine access

- **Source:** FY2027 Department of the Air Force RDT&E Budget Justification, Exhibit R-2A, PE 0604257F project 642001 (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.*