# Common Tactical Edge Network (CTEN)

**R-2A activity** of project 655050 — TDL System Integration  
**Program element:** 0604281F — Tactical Data Networks Enterprise  
**Component:** U.S. Air Force · **Budget Activity:** 5  
**Vintage:** President's Budget PB2027  
**Canonical URL:** https://hitchintel.com/programs/0604281F/655050/a0  
**Parent:** https://hitchintel.com/programs/0604281F

## Summary

This activity requests $24.2M in FY2027, 22% of project 655050, down 42% 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 continue to execute software releases, integration, and demonstrations. -Will continue to engineer the capability to provide data routing critical to the operation of PG/C3HST and the associated Phalanx Watch network support function. -Will continue to upgrade software as the ability to scale CTEN and integrate increased ground nodes and weapons platforms will continue as PG expands.

**FY2026 to FY2027 change.** Decrease from FY 2026 to FY 2027 due to realignment for higher operational priorities.

## Before the request year

**FY2026 plans — current year.** -Continue to develop and demonstrate the CTEN Minimum Viable Capability Release (MVCR). -The first operational release of CTEN is scheduled for early 2026 followed by another release later in 2026. Both will be integrated on Phalanx Nomad hardware baseline with final delivery of full Phalanx Griffon (PG)-system to F15 SPO in calendar year 2026. This includes software Model Based System Engineering artifacts -Complete systems architecting and continue to support advanced non-proprietary antenna apertures necessary to mature the Enterprise Approach to the Joint Aerial Network. -Complete systems architecture with associated CTEN reference architecture Model Based System Engineering artifacts. -Develop software sustainment plan and contract award.

## Funding

| Fiscal Year | Estimate Type | Amount ($M) |
|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | Actual | 44.5 |
| FY2026 | Enacted | 41.8 |
| FY2027 | Request | 24.2 |

> 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 655050

- [MBeam](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0604281F/655050/a1) — FY2027 50.8
- [Tactical Data Links and Gateways (TDL&G) Integration](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0604281F/655050/a3) — FY2027 22.2
- Link 22 — FY2027 7.7
- Second Generation Anti-Jam Tactical UHF Radio for NATO (SATURN) — FY2027 5.2

## Source & machine access

- **Source:** FY2027 Department of the Air Force RDT&E Budget Justification, Exhibit R-2A, PE 0604281F project 655050 (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.*