# Shipboard Aviation Systems — Program Element 0604512N

**Program element:** 0604512N  
**Component:** U.S. Navy  
**Appropriation:** 1319 — RDT&E, Navy  
**Budget Activity:** 5 — System Development & Demonstration  
**Vintage:** President's Budget PB2027  
**Canonical URL:** https://hitchintel.com/programs/0604512N

## Summary

U.S. Navy requests $31.0M in FY2027 (down from a FY2026 peak), before stepping down 62% across the five-year plan. In the FY2027 defense authorization, the House funded it in full; the Senate funded it in full; House appropriators funded it in full. NAWCAD leads the industry work.

## Funding profile

| Fiscal Year | Estimate Type | Amount ($M) |
|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | Actual | 12.6 |
| FY2026 | Enacted | 33.7 |
| FY2027 | Request | 31.0 |
| FY2028 | Outyear | 20.7 |
| FY2029 | Outyear | 22.4 |
| FY2030 | Outyear | 12.5 |
| FY2031 | Outyear | 11.6 |

> 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 | 31.0 | — |
| House NDAA (HASC) | 31.0 | +0.0 |
| Senate NDAA (SASC) | 31.0 | +0.0 |
| House Approps (HAC-D) | 31.0 | +0.0 |

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

## Projects (1)

| Project | Title | FY2025 actual | FY2026 enacted | FY2027 request | Move |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2232 | CV/CVN Launch and Recover | 12.6 | 33.7 | 31.0 | −8% |

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

### Project 2232 — CV/CVN Launch and Recover

This Navy unique project addresses the System Development and Demonstration (SDD) of systems required to recover and launch Navy/Marine Corps Aircraft (Fixed/Rotary Wing and Vertical/Short Take-Off and Landing) operating aboard aircraft carriers (CVN), amphibious assault ships and air capable ships. This program includes the following systems under Project 2232, including the funding of production representative models for: (1) Aircraft Launch & Recovery Equipment (ALRE) Modernization: ALRE Modernization encompasses efforts required to ensure continued functional performance, operational relevance, and cybersecurity accreditation for all product lines across the ALRE program. This includes efforts required to resolve emerging obsolescence issues (both hardware and software), implement fleet driven operational capability upgrades, and comply with cybersecurity requirements and computer task order requirements for security threat mitigation. Major categories include Visual Landing Aids (VLA), Information Systems, Launcher, Recovery, Marine Aviation Data Management System (MADMS) and Aviation Data Management and Control System (ADMACS). There are 48 fielded subsystems that are included in the major categories. The ALRE Gold Disk program provides diagnostic test routines for fleet technician troubleshooting capability on faulty circuit cards to identify the problem and perform the repair. VLA Long Range Line-Up (LRLS) is a solid state system required by CVNs Flight Deck Certification and provides visual cues for approaching fixed wing aircraft to ensure safe recovery of all platforms in all environments. VLA Improved Fresnel Lens Optical Landing System (IFLOLS) provides visual cues to pilots of approaching aircraft and is the primary visual landing aid displaying glide path & trend info to fixed wing pilots on final approach from 1.5 nautical miles out to touchdown.

**Named R-3 performers** (share of this project's FY2027 R-3 total, so they need not reach 100%)**:** NAWCAD (15.6, 50%), NGC (8.4, 27%), SAIC (6.2, 20%).

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aircraft Launch & Recovery Equipment (ALRE) Modernization | 0.4 | 16.1 | 12.6 |
| Aircraft Launch & Recovery Equipment (ALRE) Service Life Management Program (SLMP) | 12.2 | 17.6 | 18.3 |

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

## Where the FY2027 request goes

| Category | Share | $M |
|---|---|---|
| Industry primes | 98% | 30.2 |
| Other / unspecified | 2.4% | 0.8 |

**Top named industry performers:** NAWCAD ($15.6M, 50%), NGC ($8.4M, 27%), SAIC ($6.2M, 20%).

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

## Mission & acquisition strategy

This Navy unique project addresses the System Development and Demonstration (SDD) of systems required to recover and launch Navy/Marine Corps Aircraft (Fixed/Rotary Wing and Vertical/Short Take-Off and Landing) operating aboard aircraft carriers (CVN), amphibious assault ships and air capable ships. This program includes the following systems under Project 2232, including the funding of production representative models for: (1) Aircraft Launch & Recovery Equipment (ALRE) Modernization: ALRE Modernization encompasses efforts required to ensure continued functional performance, operational relevance, and cybersecurity accreditation for all product lines across the ALRE program.

Aircraft Launch & Recovery Equipment Modernization: This program ensure continued functional performance, operational relevance, and cybersecurity accreditation for all product lines across the ALRE program. Programs include Visual Landing Aids (VLA), Information Systems, Launcher, Recovery, Marine Aviation Data Management System (MADMS) and Aviation Data Management and Control System (ADMACS). There are 48 fielded subsystems that are included in the major categories.

## Related program elements

- [0604530N — Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG)](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0604530N) (Navy)
- [1203176F — CSAR EMD](https://hitchintel.com/programs/1203176F) (Air Force)
- [0603860N — JNT Precision Approach & Ldg Sys](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0603860N) (Navy)
- [0604741A — Air Defense Command, Control and Intelligence - Eng Dev](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0604741A) (Army)

## Source & machine access

- **Source:** FY2027 Department of the Navy RDT&E Budget Justification, Exhibits R-2/R-3, PE 0604512N (PB PB2027); FY2027 NDAA committee marks (as of 2026-07-27).
- **MCP:** `mcp.hitchintel.com` — `budget_get_program_element(pe="0604512N")`.

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