# Future Flight Test Capabilities/Investments (FI)

**R-2A activity** of project 2555 — Test and Evaluation (T&E)  
**Program element:** 0604840N — F-35C C2D2  
**Component:** U.S. Navy · **Budget Activity:** 7  
**Vintage:** President's Budget PB2027  
**Canonical URL:** https://hitchintel.com/programs/0604840N/2555/a3  
**Parent:** https://hitchintel.com/programs/0604840N/2555

## Summary

This activity requests $69.2M in FY2027, 49% of project 2555, down 1.8% 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.** Continue incrementally funding Flight Science Replacement jets Flight Test Instrumentation (FTI) design, procurement, and installation (no fewer than 9 jets) for Lots 19-24, to include the procurement of long-lead parts out of the production long-lead timeframe. Complete incremental funding for Flight Science Lite jets for FTI design in support of weapons testing (1xF-35A, 1xF-35B and 2xF-35C). Continues FTI design/fabrication/installation (long-lead NRE, parts procurement, kit fabrication) for replacement test aircraft on multiple USG FTI designs. Development, procurement, and installation of flight test data network upgrades to support integrated testing across multiple F-35 stakeholder sites. FTI development, procurement, fabrication and installation or current and future service loaner aircraft to continue Integrated Testing with Service Operational Test organizations. Continue integration and procurement efforts required for Block 4 test mission assets.

**FY2026 to FY2027 change.** When considering the FY2027 mandatory funding in addition to discretionary funding, the funding increase from FY2026 to FY2027 is due to ramp up of non-recurring engineering, part procurement, and installation for FTI and flight science replacement aircraft.

## Before the request year

**FY2026 plans — current year.** Continue incrementally funding Flight Science Replacement jets Flight Test Instrumentation (FTI) design, procurement, and installation (no fewer than 9 jets) for Lots 19-24, to include the procurement of long-lead parts out of the production long-lead timeframe. Complete incremental funding for Flight Science Lite jets for FTI design in support of weapons testing (1xF-35A, 1xF-35B and 2xF-35 C). Continues FTI design/fabrication/installation (long-lead NRE, parts procurement, kit fabrication) for replacement test aircraft on multiple USG FTI designs. Development, procurement, and installation of flight test data network upgrades to support integrated testing across multiple F-35 stakeholder sites. FTI development, procurement, fabrication and installation or current and future service loaner aircraft to continue Integrated Testing with Service Operational Test organizations. Continue integration and procurement efforts required for Block 4 test mission assets.

## Funding

| Fiscal Year | Estimate Type | Amount ($M) |
|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | Actual | 59.0 |
| FY2026 | Enacted | 70.5 |
| FY2027 | Request | 69.2 |

> 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.

## Other activities in project 2555

- [Development Foundation Contract (DFC) Flight Test and Tech Refresh](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0604840N/2555/a0) — FY2027 36.0
- [Developmental Test (DT)](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0604840N/2555/a1) — FY2027 19.4
- [Digital Infrastructure](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0604840N/2555/a4) — FY2027 10.7
- Operational Test (OT) — FY2027 7.0

## Source & machine access

- **Source:** FY2027 Department of the Navy RDT&E Budget Justification, Exhibit R-2A, PE 0604840N project 2555 (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.*