# Project EQ8 — Mobile/Handheld Computing Environment (M/HHCE)

**Program element:** 0604818A — Army Tactical Command & Control Hardware & Software  
**Project:** EQ8  
**Component:** U.S. Army  
**Appropriation:** 2040 — RDT&E, Army  
**Budget Activity:** 5 — System Development & Demonstration  
**Vintage:** President's Budget PB2027  
**Canonical URL:** https://hitchintel.com/programs/0604818A/EQ8  
**Parent:** https://hitchintel.com/programs/0604818A

## Summary

Project EQ8 — Mobile/Handheld Computing Environment (M/HHCE) requests $42.6M in FY2027, 100% of the $42.6M requested for program element 0604818A, down 1.1% on FY2026. 4 R-2A activities decompose the request.

## Funding profile

| Fiscal Year | Estimate Type | Amount ($M) |
|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | Actual | 8.6 |
| FY2026 | Enacted | 43.0 |
| FY2027 | Request | 42.6 |
| FY2028 | Outyear | 47.4 |
| FY2029 | Outyear | 48.3 |
| FY2030 | Outyear | 49.2 |
| FY2031 | Outyear | 49.7 |

> Estimate types are not summed. This project is one leaf of PE 0604818A; the PE total is the sum of its projects, never added to them.

## What project EQ8 buys

Project EQ8, Mobile/Handheld Computing Environment (M/HHCE) enables situational awareness (SA) and command and control (C2) for dismounted combat forces through the Nett Warrior (NW) system. M/HH CE utilizes Government-owned Tactical Assault Kit (TAK) as a foundation for integrating a wide array of functional software, such as UAV planning/control, casualty care and logistics. Future version of NW and TAK will form the SA/C2 baseline for dismounted forces in support of Headquarters Department of the Army priority efforts, such as Next Generation Command & Control (NGC2) and Transformation in Contact (TiC). . The NW system provides leaders electronic real-time information on friendly positions; information about enemy activity and movement; navigational data and map imagery; a collaborative mission planning tool; and other mission related graphics which effectively puts the power of the entire Army tactical network in the hands of the dismounted leader. Nett Warrior (NW) and Soldier Borne Mission Command (SBMC) are the instantiation of the M/HHCE and comply with the technical standards documented by the M/ HHCE and provide the dismounted common computational platform for other products relevant to dismounted Soldiers. Through compliance with the M/HHCE, software applications from other programs are integrated with the NW and SBMC systems, reducing the need for duplicate hardware resulting in reduced Soldier Load. M/ HHCE also supports the Army Network Modernization Strategy LOE 2 (Common Operating Environment). These efforts are aligned to the Army's Tactical Network Capability Set development and fielding plans by utilizing (1) interoperable data, message, and waveforms, (2) sensors and applications that enable operations across domains and automated tools to aid decision-making and (3) integration with Joint C4ISR and strike capabilities. NW leverages commercial smart phone devices and secure Army tactical radios to provide the dismounted leader an integrated command and control situational awareness capability for use during combat operations.

**R-3 lines of work:** Management Services; Product Development; Support; Test and Evaluation.

## Activities (R-2A) — 4

| Activity | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 | Move | Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardware and Software Integration and Evaluation for Capability Improvements | 2.3 | 18.5 | 20.4 | +11% | [a1](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0604818A/EQ8/a1) |
| Software Development & Integration | 5.4 | 12.3 | 15.0 | +22% | [a2](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0604818A/EQ8/a2) |
| Test and Evaluation | 0.5 | 4.4 | 5.2 | +19% | — |
| Conduct SEPM Support to NW | 0.5 | 1.9 | 1.9 | +3% | — |

> Activities carry the prior, current and budget year only — no five-year plan. In the request year they partition this project exactly; in earlier years they can under-cover it.

### Hardware and Software Integration and Evaluation for Capability Improvements

Provide NW software / hardware updates to support incorporation of 3rd party software applications onto NW EUD platform and cyber security testing ahead of convergence with SBMC. Continue DARPA SHARE network server reduction infrastructure transition capability. Continue integration and certification testing of ISW Multi-Mode Body Area…

Full year-by-year narrative: https://hitchintel.com/programs/0604818A/EQ8/a1

### Software Development & Integration

Update NW Software Development Kit (SDK) with new functionality. Continue software upgrades in accordance with HQDA priority efforts to include updates to security and operational requirements. FY 2027 funding provides for integration/ automated tools and risk reduction events such as funding to initiate Artificial Intelligence/ Machine…

Full year-by-year narrative: https://hitchintel.com/programs/0604818A/EQ8/a2

### Test and Evaluation

**FY2027 planned work.** Conduct NW developmental testing and technical verification, including third-party evaluations, to assess new technologies and systems. Support NW as a baseline Next Gen C2/mobile CE system for the warfighter by performing electromagnetic interference testing, environmental testing, system of system/interoperability testing and information assurance (IA) penetration and prevention testing on new commercial smart devices, software, and accessories. Provide support for Army Modernization test events by supplying equipment and deploying field personnel to integrate systems, continue HMI integration, participate in capability demonstrations, operate and troubleshoot equipment, and implement necessary fixes.

**FY2026 to FY2027 change.** Increase is due to additional NW Edge Compute Device test and evaluation capabilities.

**FY2026 plans — current year.** Conduct NW developmental testing and technical verification, including third-party evaluations, to assess new technologies and systems. Support NW as a baseline Next Gen C2/mobile CE system for the warfighter by performing electromagnetic interference testing, environmental testing, system of system/interoperability testing and information assurance (IA) penetration and prevention testing on new commercial smart devices, software, and accessories. Support annual DevSecOps operational assessments to gather Soldier feedback on emerging capabilities. Provide support for Army Modernization test events by supplying equipment and deploying field personnel to integrate systems, participate in capability demonstrations, operate and troubleshoot equipment, and implement necessary fixes. Begin HMI integration of identified Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and Unmanned Ground Systems (UGS) with NW and universal controllers.

**FY2025 accomplishments.** Conduct NW testing at the Electronic Proving Ground (EPG) for DOCK Ultra and Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) integration with the NW system.

### Conduct SEPM Support to NW

**FY2027 planned work.** Continue to conduct government systems / software engineering and program management support for NW program. Will collect input from Soldiers to improve NW and SBMC size, weight, power, lethality, safety and effectiveness via surveys. Will execute development, test, and integration of emerging innovative commercial technologies such as Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). Will continue efforts to reduce the size, weight, and power (SWAP); reduce cost; and increase interoperability and functionality between NW, SBMC, Low Altitude Stalk and Strike Ordnance (LASSO), Next Gen C2, and other efforts and programs of record. FY 20276 funding covers program office software support for prior procurement-funded matrix and SETA personnel in accordance with ASAALT guidance.

**FY2026 to FY2027 change.** Increase due to economic assumptions.

**FY2026 plans — current year.** Continue to conduct government systems / software engineering and program management support for NW program. Will collect input from Soldiers to improve NW and SBMC size, weight, power, lethality, safety and effectiveness via surveys. Will manage system configuration, and execute test, development and integration planning including investigation and analysis of emerging innovative commercial technologies to reduce the size, weight, power, cost, and increase interoperability and functionality between NW, SBMC, Low Altitude Stalk and Strike Ordnance (LASSO), Next Gen C2, and other efforts and programs of record. FY 2026 funding covers program office software support for prior procurement-funded matrix and SETA personnel in accordance with ASAALT guidance.

**FY2025 accomplishments.** Continue to conduct government systems / software engineering and program management support for NW program. Will collect input from Soldiers to improve NW and SBMC size, weight, power, lethality, safety and effectiveness via surveys. Will manage system configuration, and execute test, development and integration planning including investigation and analysis of emerging innovative commercial technologies to reduce the size, weight, power, cost, and increase NW, SBMC, and Next Gen C2 functionality.

## What is NOT on this page

Congressional marks, the R-2 mission description and acquisition strategy, the industry vs government split of the whole request, and related program elements are recorded at **program-element** grain — an NDAA mark lands on a PE, never on a project. They are at https://hitchintel.com/programs/0604818A.

## Source & machine access

- **Source:** FY2027 Department of the Army RDT&E Budget Justification, Exhibits R-2/R-2A/R-3, PE 0604818A project EQ8 (PB PB2027).
- **MCP:** `mcp.hitchintel.com` — `budget_get_program_element(pe="0604818A")`.

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