# USMC Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) Development

**R-2A activity** of project 3751 — Vertical Takeoff and Landing Development  
**Program element:** 0604295M — (u)marine Aviation Demonstration/validation  
**Component:** U.S. Navy · **Budget Activity:** 4  
**Vintage:** President's Budget PB2027  
**Canonical URL:** https://hitchintel.com/programs/0604295M/3751/a0  
**Parent:** https://hitchintel.com/programs/0604295M/3751

## Summary

This activity requests $42.2M in FY2027, 100% of project 3751, 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.** Continued vendor Mission Systems Integration and development of identified software/hardware autonomy solutions into demonstration aircraft. Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Two Four (UX-24) will continue to conduct prototype evaluations of vendor autonomy suites while MAWTS-1 and Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron One (VMX-1) will follow with operational assessments of those suites. Anticipated operational assessment will occur OCONUS/CONUS in support of a limited Contractor Owned-Contractor Operated (COCO) deployment of assets with Marine Littoral Regiment (MLR). The operational assessment will refine aspects of Fleet integration and identify risk areas associated with DOTmLPF. Due to expeditionary nature of Aerial Logistics Connector (ALC), static cargo demonstrators will further inform DOTmLPF towards reducing manpower and training requirements associated with expeditionary operations. Future Attack/Strike (FASt) CDTM efforts will focus on fully informed mission effectiveness and operational analysis to demonstrate platform integration with MAGTF and Aviation Combat Element integrated kill web execution. Tasks include: acquisition program management functions, systems engineering activities, Integration Laboratory engineering modeling and analysis, Master Test Strategy (MTS) execution, and system specification development. The Integration Laboratory will use IT infrastructure that supports real-time, collaborative Government/vendor interaction at multiple security levels, supporting bench level testing of software/hardware, and will be used to conduct defect testing and anomaly exploration discovered during prototype evaluations.

**FY2026 to FY2027 change.** Funds increase from FY 2026 to FY 2027 to support ALC Mission Systems Integration (i.e., autonomy, navigation and user interface integration) and support for MLR operational assessment.

## Before the request year

**FY2026 plans — current year.** Vendors will develop and integrate unique software/hardware autonomy solutions into demonstration aircraft. Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Two Four (UX-24) will conduct prototype evaluations of vendor autonomy suites while MAWTS-1 and Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron One (VMX-1) will follow with operational assessments of those suites. These operational assessments will refine aspects of Fleet integration and identify risk areas associated with Doctrine, Organization, Training, Material, Leadership and Education, Personnel, and Facilities (DOTmLPF). Due to expeditionary nature of ALC, static cargo demonstrators will further inform DOTmLPF towards reducing manpower and training requirements associated with expeditionary operations. Preliminary Design Review (PDR) and Critical Design Review (CDR) events will occur in FY 2026. Future Attack/Strike CDTM efforts will focus on trade studies and design reviews associated with marinization and shipboard compatibility. Tasks include: acquisition program management functions, systems engineering activities, Integration Laboratory engineering modeling and analysis, Master Test Strategy (MTS) execution, and system specification development. The Integration Laboratory will use IT infrastructure that supports real-time, collaborative government/vendor interaction at multiple security levels, supports bench level testing of software/hardware, and conduct defect testing and anomaly exploration discovered during prototype evaluations.

## Funding

| Fiscal Year | Estimate Type | Amount ($M) |
|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | Actual | 49.2 |
| FY2026 | Enacted | 33.9 |
| FY2027 | Request | 42.2 |

> 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.

## Source & machine access

- **Source:** FY2027 Department of the Navy RDT&E Budget Justification, Exhibit R-2A, PE 0604295M project 3751 (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.*