# Project 238 — Aerial Targets

**Program element:** 0604258A — Target Systems Development  
**Project:** 238  
**Component:** U.S. Army  
**Appropriation:** 2040 — RDT&E, Army  
**Budget Activity:** 6 — RDT&E Management Support  
**Vintage:** President's Budget PB2027  
**Canonical URL:** https://hitchintel.com/programs/0604258A/238  
**Parent:** https://hitchintel.com/programs/0604258A

## Summary

Project 238 — Aerial Targets requests $12.7M in FY2027, 77% of the $16.5M requested for program element 0604258A, down 44% on FY2026. 5 R-2A activities decompose the request.

## Funding profile

| Fiscal Year | Estimate Type | Amount ($M) |
|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | Actual | 24.0 |
| FY2026 | Enacted | 22.5 |
| FY2027 | Request | 12.7 |
| FY2028 | Outyear | 12.8 |
| FY2029 | Outyear | 12.9 |
| FY2030 | Outyear | 13.1 |
| FY2031 | Outyear | 13.2 |

> Estimate types are not summed. This project is one leaf of PE 0604258A; the PE total is the sum of its projects, never added to them.

## What project 238 buys

This Project supports Army readiness and Multi-Domain Operations through the development, acquisition, operation, and modernization of aerial targets. Multi-spectral Aerial Targets include realistic surrogates, actual high-performance threat aircraft, and virtual target computer models. Current and emerging weapons systems require test, evaluation, and training using threat-representative aerial targets to assess weapons system's effectiveness in the operational environment. This project encompasses a portfolio of full-scale, miniature, and subscale fixed-wing/rotary-wing targets, virtual targets, ancillary devices, and associated control systems. For accurate threat portrayal that properly stresses weapons systems during test and evaluation, aerial targets must exhibit flight characteristics, threat signatures, and other performance factors to represent or emulate relevant and validated threats. This Project funds: the long-range planning necessary to determine future target needs and development of coordinated requirements; the management of target research, development, test and evaluation, production, and modernization; execution of the validation process to ensure that aerial targets accurately represent the threat; as well as storage and repair parts. The Army is the Test Enterprise Reliance lead for Rotary Wing Targets and Towed Target development.

## Activities (R-2A) — 5

| Activity | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 | Move | Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unmanned Aerial System - Target (UAS-T). | 5.0 | 5.3 | 5.5 | +2% | — |
| Army Ground Aerial Target Control System (AGATCS). | 2.8 | 3.2 | 3.2 | +0% | — |
| High Speed Aerial Target (HSAT). | 3.1 | 2.8 | 2.9 | +3% | — |
| Aerial Virtual Targets. | 0.6 | 0.7 | 0.7 | +1% | — |
| Towed Targets/Ancillary devices. | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.4 | −2% | — |

> 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.

### Unmanned Aerial System - Target (UAS-T).

**FY2027 planned work.** Continues to provide Army test and experimentation events with group 1-5 threat representative hardware. These test assets include prototyped UAS, modified UAS, or commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) UAS platforms to represent emerging threats. Provides programmatic and engineering support for development efforts and oversight of the Unmanned Aerial System - Target (UAS-T) / Unmanned Aerial System - Counter (UAS-C) fleet.

**FY2026 to FY2027 change.** Funding increases due to economic assumptions.

**FY2026 plans — current year.** Development, technical updates, prototyping, engineering modifications, technology obsolescence, Unmanned Aerial System - Target (UAS-T) / Unmanned Aerial System - Counter (UAS-C) threat hardware, and life cycle management activities for emerging group 1-5 UAS threats. Provides threat representative platforms to support test and experimentation missions. Provides UAS-T and commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) UAS platforms to White Sands Missile Range, Yuma, and Threat Systems Management Office Operations teams to support various Army test events. This activity will continue to require technical support for the development, demonstration, and integration of payloads, including technical oversight of the targets' acquisition and ground support equipment.

**FY2025 accomplishments.** Technical and life cycle management of Unmanned Aerial System-Target (UAS-T) platforms to operate and maintain a fleet of both tactical class UAS-Ts and commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) UAS. These efforts support a variety of test requirements by providing threat representative UAS aerial targets for test and experimentation missions. Provides UAS-T and COTS UAS platforms to White Sands Missile Range, Yuma, and Threat Systems Management Office Operations teams to support various Army test events. This activity will continue to require technical support for development, demonstration, and integration of payloads, to include technical oversight of the targets' acquisition and ground support equipment.

### Army Ground Aerial Target Control System (AGATCS).

**FY2027 planned work.** AGATCS logistics and sustainment to include engineering and manufacturing to provide new capabilities and new features for remote control of Multi Domain Operation of aerial [fixed wing, rotary wing, and simulated unmanned aerial systems (SUAS)], ground (heavy, medium, and light vehicles), and seaborne targets with a single control system in support of live fire testing necessary for lethality evaluation and sensor package testing for evaluation of suitability and effectiveness at Army Test and Evaluation Center ranges and for Army customers. Funds development of new aerial target and surface target features and capabilities to include target formations, collision avoidance, and swarming capabilities for U.S. Army test range requirements. Funds integration of new target vehicles and platforms. Funds hardware obsolescence resolution and software upgrades. Funds compliance with DODI 8510.01 mandate / DOW Risk Management Framework on all target control systems to ensure a secure operating posture.

**FY2026 to FY2027 change.** Funding increases due to economic assumptions.

**FY2026 plans — current year.** AGATCS engineering and manufacturing to provide new capabilities and new features for remote control of Multi-Domain Operation of aerial (fixed wing, rotary wing, and simulated unmanned aerial systems), ground (heavy, medium, and light vehicles), and seaborne targets with a single control system in support of live fire testing necessary for lethality evaluation and sensor package testing for evaluation of suitability and effectiveness at Army Test and Evaluation Center ranges and for Army customers. Funds maintenance of compliance with DODI 8510.01 mandate / DoW Risk Management Framework on all target control systems to ensure a secure operating posture. Funds development of surface target testing requirements to include convoy, formation, collision avoidance, and swarming capabilities for U.S. Army test ranges. Provides Test Centers and the test and evaluation community with a versatile seaborne and rotary wing resource for use in conducting tests including live fire testing, observation, signal repeater, and cargo transportation.

**FY2025 accomplishments.** Army Ground Aerial Target Control System (AGATCS) engineering and manufacturing to provide new capabilities and new features for remote control of aerial (fixed wing, rotary wing, and simulated unmanned aerial systems), ground (heavy, medium, and light vehicles), and seaborne targets with a single control system in support of live fire testing necessary for lethality evaluation and sensor package testing for evaluation of suitability and effectiveness. Funds maintenance of compliance with DODI 8510.01 mandate / DoD Risk Management Framework on all target control systems to ensure a secure operating posture. Funds development of surface target testing requirements to include convoy, formation, collision avoidance, and swarming capabilities moving toward coordinated time of arrival for multi domain operations at U.S. Army test ranges. Provides Test Centers and the T&E community with a versatile seaborne and rotary wing resource for use in conducting tests to include live fire testing, observation, signal repeater and cargo transportation.

### High Speed Aerial Target (HSAT).

**FY2027 planned work.** Continues to provide High Speed Aerial Targets (HSAT) in support of Title 10 U.S.C., Section 2366 (Live Fire Test & Evaluation) for the testing of ACAT I/II major munitions, missile programs, or product improvements of these programs. This hardware is adaptable to represent various threat platforms by the addition of payloads and engineering modifications. Provides programmatic and engineering oversight for the HSAT fleet, threat hardware, addresses fleet upgrades, and modifications based on emerging threats.

**FY2026 to FY2027 change.** Funding increases due to economic assumptions.

**FY2026 plans — current year.** The U.S Army Threat Systems Management Office provides Aerial Targets to customers for threat realism required by law in Title 10 U.S.C., Section 2366 (Live Fire Test & Evaluation) for the testing of ACAT I/II major munitions, missile programs, or product improvements of these programs. FY 2026 funding provides engineering support, including non-reoccurring engineering for fleet obsolescence, integration, safety, cyber security, safety and system data documentation, Air Worthiness Release development, targets acquisition, and flight waivers for the entire enterprise, as well as, non-recurring engineering for software/ firmware updates, and minor product upgrades to increase capability. These HSATs will continue to support Test & Evaluation for Short and Intermediate Effectors for Layered Defense Project Office, programs such as Patriot, Integrated Air and Missile Defense, Sentinel Radar, Indirect Fire Protection Capability, Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor, and classified programs for Army and Tri-Service customers.

**FY2025 accomplishments.** The U.S Army Threat Systems Management Office provides Aerial Targets to customers for threat realism required by law in Title 10 U.S.C., Section 2366 (Live Fire Test & Evaluation) for the testing of ACAT I/II major munitions, missile programs, or product improvements of these programs. This line is the technical sustainment of all High Speed Aerial Targets (HSATs). This funding covers the engineering, integration, safety, cyber security, technology obsolescence, safety and system data documentation, Air Worthiness Release development, and flight waivers for the entire enterprise, as well as, non-recurring engineering for software/firmware updates, and minor product upgrades. This includes the MQM-107, MQM-178, BQM-34, and BQM-167. These HSATs will continue to support Test & Evaluation for Short and Intermediate Effectors for Layered Defense Project Office, programs such as Indirect Fire Protection Capability, and classified programs for Army and Tri-Service customers.

### Aerial Virtual Targets.

**FY2027 planned work.** Will begin development and integration of the interfaces required to support integration of Threat Modeling and Analysis Program (TMAP) Missile and Space Intelligence Center (MSIC) models. Begin the development of a Pulse Descriptor Word (PDW) translator to be able to ingest TMAP outputs into live aerial RF emitters. Finally, continue the engineering of additional Overarching Dynamic Electronic warfare System Standard Architecture (ODESSA) models that will satisfy key aerial virtual target requirements derived from the classified ATEC POM memos. These models will be used by multiple DoW agencies and multiple weapon systems such as, but not limited to Close Combat Weapon Systems, Strategic and Operational Rockets and Missiles, and Tactical Aviation and Ground Munition offices. Will continue development on the interfaces required to adjudicate Blue Force Electronic Attack against threat receive chains.

**FY2026 to FY2027 change.** FY 2026 to FY 2027 funding increase is attributed to integrating Threat Modeling and Analysis Program (TMAP) models obtained from the Missile and Space Intelligence Center (MSIC). These are required to represent validated threat models of specific threat system types.

**FY2026 plans — current year.** Will continue modeling, simulation, and development of aerial threat targets for use throughout Army and Department of War (DoW) simulation environments for evolving Army and DoW simulation standards and evolving implementation techniques; focuses on simulation target models of airplanes, helicopters, missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, and aerial targets in commonly used formats to support visualization, infrared analysis, and radar analysis simulations; will support verification and validation of models, will provide archiving and distribution of simulation target models to simulation developers throughout the Army and DoW test and evaluation communities. Life cycle maintenance of threat virtual targets will be addressed for the creation, validation, and distribution of simulation target models and physics-based software and simulation formats evolve. Aerial Virtual Targets will necessarily address the continued adoption, utilization, and proliferation of unmanned aerial vehicles as well as rocket, artillery, and mortar threats. Aerial Virtual Target models will continue to incorporate electronic attack and electronic warfare components. Simulation target models are employed to facilitate simulations for Development Testing and Operational Testing planning, test rehearsal, post-test analysis, hardware-in-the-loop testing, and execution of test events that are too costly or difficult to be conducted under actual field conditions. These models will be used by multiple DoW agencies and multiple weapon systems such as, but not limited to Close Combat Weapon Systems, Strategic and Operational Rockets and Missiles, Tactical Aviation and Ground Munition, and lower-tier program offices.

**FY2025 accomplishments.** Will continue modeling, simulation, and development of aerial threat targets for use throughout Army and DoD simulation environments for evolving Army and DoD simulation standards and evolving implementation techniques; focuses on simulation target models of airplanes, helicopters, missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, and aerial targets in commonly used formats to support visualization, infrared analysis, and radar analysis simulations; will support verification and validation of models, will provide archiving and distribution of simulation target models to simulation developers throughout the Army and DoD T&E communities. Life cycle maintenance of threat virtual targets will be addressed for creation, validation, and distribution of simulation target models and physics based software and simulation formats evolve. Aerial Virtual Targets will necessarily address continued adoption, utilization, and proliferation of unmanned aerial vehicles as well as rocket, artillery, and mortar (RAM) threats. Aerial Virtual Target models will continue to incorporate electronic attack (EA) and electronic warfare (EW) components. Simulation target models are employed to facilitate simulations for Development Testing (DT) and Operational Testing (OT) planning, test rehearsal, post-test analysis, hardware-in-the-loop testing, and execution of test events that are too costly or difficult to be conducted under actual field conditions. These models will be used by multiple DoD agencies and multiple weapon systems such as, but not limited to Close Combat Weapon Systems, Strategic and Operational Rockets and Missiles, Tactical Aviation and Ground Munition, and Lower Tier Program offices.

### Towed Targets/Ancillary devices.

**FY2027 planned work.** Continue EMD for Towed Targets and Ancillary devices, to include development, enhancement, maintenance, and sustainment for towed targets and ancillary devices as needed. Continue development and testing of Low Cost Towed target systems specifically the High Energy Laser (HEL) Tow Target. The Full scale prototype HEL Tow Target will be flight tested in FY2027. Towed targets emulate current threats and provide calibrated radar cross section sources at a very low cost or provide a test platform for testing HEL systems. Tow Target customers include Army Aerostat Program Office, the Center for Countermeasures/ Office of the Secretary of War(CCM/OSW), Joint Strike Fighter Program Office, USAF Three Dimensional Long Range Radar, and the Office of Naval Research, High Energy Laser Counter Anti-Ship Cruise Missile (ASCM) Project (HELCAP).

**FY2026 to FY2027 change.** Funding decreases due to economic assumptions.

**FY2026 plans — current year.** Continue Engineering & Manufacturing Development for Towed Targets and Ancillary devices, including development, enhancement, maintenance, and sustainment for towed targets and ancillary devices as needed. Continue development and testing of Low-Cost Towed target systems specifically the High Energy Laser (HEL) Tow Target, and Sphere Tow Targets. These targets emulate current threats or provide calibrated radar cross-section sources at a very low cost to the Army Aerostat Program Office, Center for Countermeasures/Office of the Secretary of War, United States Air Force Three-Dimensional Long-Range Radar and the Office of Naval Research, High Energy Laser Counter Anti-Ship Cruise Missile Project. A prototype of the HEL-Tow target will be fabricated for flight testing. Additional Sphere Tow Target sizes will be designed and fabricated for Radar testing. These new Sphere Targets will require Radar Cross Section measurement at a certified facility.

**FY2025 accomplishments.** Continue EMD for Towed Targets and Ancillary devices, to include development, enhancement, maintenance, and sustainment for towed targets and ancillary devices as needed. Continue development and testing of Low Cost Towed target systems specifically the High Energy Laser (HEL) Tow, and Sphere Tow Targets. These targets emulate current threats or provide calibrated radar cross section sources at a very low cost to the Army Directed Energy Program Office, Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office, Army Aerostat Program Office, Center for Countermeasures/ Office of the Secretary of Defense (CCM/OSD), USAF Three Dimensional Long Range Radar and the Navy Enterprise Air Surveillance Radar. A prototype of the HEL-Tow target will be fabricated for flight testing. The Global Positioning System receiver and Data Logger Unit used in the Sphere Tow, X-Tow and Cruise Missile Tow targets will be updated to the latest technology to provide test personnel with precise location of the targets during testing.

## 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/0604258A.

## Source & machine access

- **Source:** FY2027 Department of the Army RDT&E Budget Justification, Exhibits R-2/R-2A/R-3, PE 0604258A project 238 (PB PB2027).
- **MCP:** `mcp.hitchintel.com` — `budget_get_program_element(pe="0604258A")`.

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