# Hardware and Software Integration and Evaluation for Capability Improvements

**R-2A activity** of project EQ8 — Mobile/Handheld Computing Environment (M/HHCE)  
**Program element:** 0604818A — Army Tactical Command & Control Hardware & Software  
**Component:** U.S. Army · **Budget Activity:** 5  
**Vintage:** President's Budget PB2027  
**Canonical URL:** https://hitchintel.com/programs/0604818A/EQ8/a1  
**Parent:** https://hitchintel.com/programs/0604818A/EQ8

## Summary

This activity requests $20.4M in FY2027, 48% of project EQ8, up 11% on FY2026. The R-2A exhibit describes it across FY2025–FY2027, including what the FY2027 money is planned to buy.

## What the FY2027 request buys

**FY2027 planned work.** 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 Network chipsets/packaging within NW system. Supports Watchtower provisioning in the Windows operating system. Continue Human Machine Integration (HMI) hardware and software integration efforts. Continue Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGV) integration. Continue network architecture transition to division-level management and conversion to standardized common operational picture across all echelons.

**FY2026 to FY2027 change.** Increase due to software upgrade which consist of new software security and operational requirements, Watchtower initiatives, and source selection for EUDs.

## Before the request year

**FY2026 plans — current year.** Continue to evaluate next End User Devices (EUD) and associated hardware components to stay aligned with commercial and Army evolving requirements. Provide NW software / hardware updates to support incorporation of 3rd party software applications onto NW EUD platform and cyber security testing. Support Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) integration and transition of future technologies. Continue DARPA SHARE network server reduction infrastructure transition capability. Continue integration and certification testing of ISW Multi-Mode Body Area Network chipsets/packaging within NW system. Supports Watchtower provisioning in the Windows operating system. Begin Human Machine Integration (HMI) hardware and software integration efforts. Begin Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGV) integration. Begin network architecture transition to division-level management and conversion to standardized common operational picture across all echelons.

**FY2025 accomplishments.** Evaluate next End User Devices (EUD) and associated hardware components to stay aligned with commercial and Army evolving requirements. Provide NW software / hardware updates to support incorporation of 3rd party software applications onto NW EUD platform and cyber security testing. Support Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) integration and transition of future technologies. Continue DARPA SHARE network server reduction infrastructure transition capability. Continue integration and certification testing of ISW Multi-Mode Body Area Network chipsets/packaging within NW system. Supports Watchtower provisioning in the Windows operating system.

## Funding

| Fiscal Year | Estimate Type | Amount ($M) |
|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | Actual | 2.3 |
| FY2026 | Enacted | 18.5 |
| FY2027 | Request | 20.4 |

> 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 EQ8

- [Software Development & Integration](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0604818A/EQ8/a2) — FY2027 15.0
- Test and Evaluation — FY2027 5.2
- Conduct SEPM Support to NW — FY2027 1.9

## Source & machine access

- **Source:** FY2027 Department of the Army RDT&E Budget Justification, Exhibit R-2A, PE 0604818A project EQ8 (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.*