What project 0609 buys
The Aerial Target Systems Development program designs and develops threat representative subsonic and supersonic targets and associated payloads to emulate threat weapon systems and aircraft. In addition to representative air vehicles, this includes development of Target Control (TC) systems and associated Target Augmentation and Auxiliary Systems (TA/AS) which are used to replicate specific threats. Targets and auxiliary payloads are developed to support test and evaluation of combat systems required to defend fleet surface and air units in a hostile environment. As to specific hardware development, this project includes: - Supersonic Targets: Portfolio includes GQM-163A Supersonic Sea-Skimming Target (SSST) and AQM-88 Supersonic Air Launch Target (SALT) programs. Supersonic targets represent supersonic anti-ship cruise missile threats. The design and development of GQM-163A capabilities provide threat representative targets that are used in direct support of Developmental Test and Evaluation, Operational Test and Evaluation, and Live Fire Test and Evaluation of major combat weapons programs and support fleet training. Critical live-fire Test and Evaluation events are supported for AEGIS CG and DDG Mods, DDG-51 Flight III, LHA 8, CVN-79 LPD Flight II, SM-6, SM-2, RAM, and ESSM. The GQM-163A is a non-recoverable supersonic sea skimming aerial target, capable of speeds in excess of Mach 2.5 and cruise altitudes from 13.0 to 52K feet. The GQM-163A has also demonstrated higher altitude diving threat profiles. Funding may also be used to begin development of potential future supersonic targets to keep pace with emerging threats. Funding is provided for kinematic performance enhancements to develop increases in current capabilities. Funding may also be used to begin development of potential future supersonic targets to keep pace with emerging threats. - Subsonic Targets: Portfolio includes BQM-177A, BQM-34S and BQM-167 subsonic target programs. The BQM-177A SSAT primarily represents subsonic anti-ship cruise missile threats. The BQM-177A SSAT provides threat representation for developmental and operational test & evaluation events of major combat weapons systems programs and in support of fleet training events.
Project 0609 funding, FY2025–FY2031
Prior years are actuals, the budget year is the request, and the outyears are the FYDP plan. Estimate types are colored and never summed into one figure. Projects carry the full five-year plan; the activities inside them stop at the budget year.
| Fiscal Year | Estimate Type | Amount ($M) |
|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | Actual | 6.8 |
| FY2026 | Enacted | 10.9 |
| FY2027 | Request | 19.5 |
| FY2028 | Outyear | 25.6 |
| FY2029 | Outyear | 18.7 |
| FY2030 | Outyear | 10.0 |
| FY2031 | Outyear | 10.2 |
3 accomplishments / planned programs
The R-2A exhibit — the only level of the budget that describes work that has not happened yet. Activities carry the prior, current and budget year only, no five-year plan. Coverage is partial across the corpus, so count activities, never total them.
FY2027 planned work Continue technique development and integration of Next Generation DRFM System onto Subscale targets. Funding in support of development of the Next Generation ULQ-21 system for use in Subscale Targets and Full-Scale Pod Systems. Continue development of Saab BOL Countermeasure System onto BQM-177A and BQM-34S. R&D and evaluation of advanced payloads. Support development of systems to address obsolescence of legacy components and systems. Continue development of High frequency DRFM to meet future fleet needs. Continue development and qualification of the Next Generation SNTC Ground Control Station with associated hardware and software upgrades. Continue development of the Next Generation…
FY2026 to FY2027 change Increase of $0.938 million from FY 2026 to FY 2027 due to start of F-35 Countermeasure and Advanced Expendable Jammer development.
FY2026 plans — current year Continue technique development and integration of Next Generation DRFM System onto Subscale targets. Funding in support of development of the Next Generation ULQ-21 system for use in Subscale Targets and Full-Scale Pod Systems. Complete development of Dual-Band Decoy systems into existing ALE-55 Subscale and Full-Scale systems. Initiate development of Saab BOL Countermeasure System onto BQM-177A and BQM-34S. R&D and evaluation of advanced payloads. Support development of systems to address obsolescence of legacy components and systems. Continue development of High frequency DRFM to meet future fleet needs. Continue development and qualification of the Next Generation SNTC Ground Control…
FY2027 planned work Continue the development of GQM-163A Supersonic Sea Skimming Targets (SSST) improvements and increased capability efforts. Continue development of new capabilities to enhance target utility in fleet operational and test environments. This includes kinematic performance enhancements to current capabilities designed to simulate advanced advance ship-cruise missiles (ASCM), including: increased operational altitude capabilities, enhanced dive angle performance parameters, improved high-G maneuvering characteristics representative of ASCM threat profiles. Develop the plans for multiple modifications including the outer mold line modifications to enhance aerodynamic performance and threat…
FY2026 to FY2027 change Increase of $5.255 million from FY 2026 to FY 2027 for increased development of GQM-163 Kinematic Performance Upgrades.
FY2026 plans — current year Continue the development of GQM-163A Supersonic Sea Skimming Targets (SSST) improvements and increased capability efforts including Electronic Warfare (EW) payloads and enhanced flight performance. Start development of performance enhancements to current capabilities. Continue to support the development and test of other unique supersonic targets as required.
FY2027 planned work Continue engineering, manufacturing, training, logistics, and test efforts of Subsonic targets. Incorporate Engineering Change Proposals, modernizations, and capability enhancements in the baseline design configuration as mission and threats evolve. Continue studies & development efforts on other subsonic target alternatives to include working the non-recurring efforts associated with the MK-129 in support of the BQM-34S in preparation for new production in FY 2029.
FY2026 to FY2027 change Increase of $2.375 million from FY 2026 to FY 2027 for increased BQM-34 MK-129 JATO development in support of production restart.
FY2026 plans — current year Continue engineering, manufacturing, training, logistics and test efforts of Subsonic targets. Incorporate Engineering Change Proposals, modernizations, and capability enhancements in the baseline design configuration as mission and threats evolve. Continue studies & development efforts on other subsonic target alternatives. Continue development of the MK129 in support of the BQM-34S.