# Rapid Technology Capability Prototype — Program Element 0604320M

**Program element:** 0604320M  
**Component:** U.S. Navy  
**Appropriation:** 1319 — RDT&E, Navy  
**Budget Activity:** 4 — Advanced Component Development & Prototypes  
**Vintage:** President's Budget PB2027  
**Canonical URL:** https://hitchintel.com/programs/0604320M

## Summary

U.S. Navy funding ramps 42% to a $126.0M request in FY2027, before stepping down 89% across the five-year plan. In the FY2027 defense authorization, the House funded it in full; the Senate funded it in full; House appropriators cut 13% (to $109.4M).

## Funding profile

| Fiscal Year | Estimate Type | Amount ($M) |
|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | Actual | 82.2 |
| FY2026 | Enacted | 89.0 |
| FY2027 | Request | 126.0 |
| FY2028 | Outyear | 150.7 |
| FY2029 | Outyear | 18.4 |
| FY2030 | Outyear | 13.0 |
| FY2031 | Outyear | 13.4 |

> Estimate types are not summed — the profile mixes actuals, enacted law, the request, and outyear projections.

## Congressional marks (FY2027)

| Stage | Marked ($M) | Change ($M) |
|---|---|---|
| Request | 126.0 | — |
| House NDAA (HASC) | 126.0 | +0.0 |
| Senate NDAA (SASC) | 126.0 | +0.0 |
| House Approps (HAC-D) | 109.4 | −16.6 |

> FY2027 NDAA authorization marks, as of 2026-07-27. Not appropriations or final law.

## Projects (2)

| Project | Title | FY2025 actual | FY2026 enacted | FY2027 request | Move |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0386 | Rapid Prototype Development, Marine Corps | 72.5 | 16.3 | 126.0 | +672% |
| 9999 | Congressional Adds | 9.7 | 72.7 | 0.0 | −100% |

> Projects are the summable leaves: the program element total is their sum, never added to it.

### Project 0386 — Rapid Prototype Development, Marine Corps

The Marine Corps Rapid Capabilities Office (MCRCO) is established under the direction of the Commandant of the Marine Corps (CMC) to identify, develop, and transition emergent and disruptive capabilities that significantly enhance survivability, lethality, and effectiveness for the Fleet Marine Forces (FMF). MCRCO focuses on rapid prototype development, testing, and integration of cutting-edge technologies at Technology Readiness Level 7 or higher, ensuring seamless and efficient transition to the FMF. Leveraging both government and commercial off-the-shelf solutions, as well as developmental items, MCRCO plays a critical role in maintaining the Marine Corps' strategic readiness and technological edge. Additional details about the MCRCO, including project specifics, can be found at a higher classification level.

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product Development | 67.8 | 13.2 | 120.7 |
| Support | 2.8 | 1.1 | 3.3 |
| Test & Evaluation | 2.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 |

> R-2A activities carry the prior, current and budget year only — no five-year plan. Coverage is partial, so count them, never total them.

### Project 9999 — Congressional Adds

Wing-in-Ground-effect (WIG) platforms are an emerging alternative maritime transportation capability that will disrupt the adversaries kill chain and result in a cost imposition on enemy targeting. WIG platforms have potential to fill capability gaps in the Marine Corps' family of Littoral-Maritime Transportation & Mobility Systems. WIGs are water borne, inexpensive, maneuverable, platforms offering an alternative mode of high-speed surface transportation in a contested maritime, anti-access/area denial (A2AD) environment. Operating in ground effect provides maximum operational efficiency and allows the vessels to be certified as a maritime platform vice an aircraft, reducing certification and training requirements.

## Where the FY2027 request goes

| Category | Share | $M |
|---|---|---|
| Government labs & warfare centers | 3.2% | 4.1 |
| Other / unspecified | 97% | 121.9 |

> R-3 exhibit contract funding, not USAspending obligations.

## Mission & acquisition strategy

The Marine Corps Rapid Capabilities Office (MCRCO) focuses on the accelerating technological changes the battlefield has been met with and the constant evolution of threats. Established under the direct authority of the Commandant of the Marine Corps, the MCRCO operates with a singular, urgent purpose: to cut through bureaucratic inertia and rapidly deliver game-changing capabilities directly into the hands of the Fleet Marine Forces. Its mission is to identify, develop, and transition emergent and disruptive technologies that provide a decisive edge, significantly enhancing the survivability, lethality, and overall effectiveness of every Marine on the battlefield.

The Marine Corps Rapid Capabilities Office (MCRCO), operating under the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory (MCWL), is committed to leveraging the most innovative and efficient acquisition processes available across the Services and Defense Agencies. Our acquisition strategy focuses on agility, collaboration, and rapid capability development to ensure the Marine Corps remains at the cutting edge of technological advancements and can swiftly adapt to evolving threats and operational requirements.

## Related program elements

- [0606300D8Z — Defense Science Board (DSB)](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0606300D8Z) (Defense-Wide)
- [0205620N — Surface ASW Cmbt Sys Integr](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0205620N) (Navy)
- [0305022F — ISR Modernization & Automation Dvmt (IMAD)](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0305022F) (Air Force)
- [0208097JCY — Cyber Command and Control (C2)](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0208097JCY) (Defense-Wide)

## Source & machine access

- **Source:** FY2027 Department of the Navy RDT&E Budget Justification, Exhibits R-2/R-3, PE 0604320M (PB PB2027); FY2027 NDAA committee marks (as of 2026-07-27).
- **MCP:** `mcp.hitchintel.com` — `budget_get_program_element(pe="0604320M")`.

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