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RDT&E Program Element · President's Budget PB2027

Unmanned ISR

PE 1160434BB·Defense-Wide·Approp. 0400 — RDT&E·BA7 — Operational System Development
FY2027 Request
$0.0M
Defense-Wide · RDT&E
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Defense-Wide funding falls 100% to a $0.0M request in FY2027.

FY2027 Request
$0.0M
▼ 100% vs FY2026
FY2026 Enacted
$10.3M
▼ 67% vs FY2025
FY2025 Actual
$31.6M
Prior year

For fiscal year 2027, Defense-Wide agencies are requesting $0.0M for Unmanned ISR under RDT&E program element 1160434BB, down 100% from FY2026.

Funding trajectory

Funding profile, FY2025–FY2031

Prior years are actuals, the budget year is the request, and the outyears are the FYDP plan. Estimate types are colored and never summed into one figure.

25031.6FY25ACTUAL10.3FY26ENACTED0.0FY27REQUEST0.0FY280.0FY290.0FY300.0FY31
Actual Enacted Request Outyear (FYDP)
Fiscal YearEstimate TypeAmount ($M)
FY2025Actual31.6
FY2026Enacted10.3
FY2027Request0.0
FY2028Outyear0.0
FY2029Outyear0.0
FY2030Outyear0.0
FY2031Outyear0.0
Where it sits

Acquisition lifecycle

This program is funded in RDT&E Budget Activity 7 — Operational System Development.

Complete
Research
BA 1–2
Complete
Advanced Technology
BA 3
Complete
Prototyping
BA 4
Current
Development & Fielding
BA 5–7
Inside the program element

1 project rolls up into PE 1160434BB

Projects are the summable leaves — the PE total is their sum, never added to it. Program elements and projects carry the full five-year plan; activities stop at the budget year. This PE moves -100% overall, which can hide much larger swings below.

Project S855

Unmanned ISR

—FY2027 request ▼ 100%
FY2025 actual$31.6M
FY2026 enacted$10.3M
FY2027 request—
Product DevelopmentSupportTest and EvaluationManagement Services

This project is part of the Military Intelligence Program (MIP). Unmanned Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) rapidly develops and deploys special capabilities to perform ISR for deployed Special Operations Forces (SOF) using non-traditional means. Group 1, 2, 3 and 4, Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) developmental efforts are to identify, develop, integrate, and test Special Operations-peculiar (SO-p) mission kits, mission payloads, air vehicle enhancements, and modifications to ground control stations. Based on stakeholder input and requirements, United States Special Operations Command develops and integrates UAS payloads to advance ISR capabilities that address dynamic and emergent operational needs of the SOF user. Efforts include improving imagery intelligence and electronic warfare payloads, capitalizing on developing technologies to reduce size, weight and power while addressing processing and data management challenges. This program also provides a mechanism for SOF user combat evaluation of emerging sensor technologies. Beginning in FY 2027, funding transitioned from R-1 Program Element PE 1160434BB/Unmanned ISR into PE 1160405BB/Intelligence Systems Development.

Accomplishments / planned programs (R-2A) — prior, current and budget year only
Group 4 UAS: MQ-1C, Program Number 781▼ 100%
FY2025 actual$5.2M
FY2026 enacted$2.3M
FY2027 request—

FY2026 to FY2027 change Beginning in FY 2027, $2.877 million in funding transitioned from R-1 Program Element PE 1160434BB / Unmanned ISR into PE 1160405BB / Intelligence Systems Development, Project S855.

FY2026 plans — current year Continue to develop, test, and integrate capabilities, such as weapon launchers, tactical networking enhancements, airborne mission networking enhancements, and situational awareness payload integration.

FY2025 accomplishments Continue to develop, test, and integrate capabilities, such as weapon launchers, tactical networking enhancements, airborne mission networking enhancements, and situational awareness payload integration.

Group 4 UAS: Long Endurance Aircraft (LEA), Program Number 4GD
FY2025 actual$26.4M
FY2026 enacted—
FY2027 request—

FY2025 accomplishments Continue to develop and integrate SO-p sensor to increase combat line fielding for enhanced LEA platforms. Upgrade existing communication system. Begins payload enhancements to facilitate air launched effects (ALE) capabilities.

Program detail

Mission & acquisition strategy

This project is part of the Military Intelligence Program (MIP). Unmanned Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) rapidly develops and deploys special capabilities to perform ISR for deployed Special Operations Forces (SOF) using non-traditional means. Group 1, 2, 3 and 4, Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) developmental efforts are to identify, develop, integrate, and test Special Operations-peculiar (SO-p) mission kits, mission payloads, air vehicle enhancements, and modifications to ground control stations.

MQ-1C: an acquisition program that develops, tests, and integrates SO-peculiar (SO-p) emerging technology mission kits, mission payloads, weapons, and modifications on MQ-1C and associated Ground Control Stations and training systems. Program provides rapid prototype activities and technology maturation events to increase situational awareness, lethality, and platform capability. Contract types include a mix of cost type and fixed price. Where possible, Group 4 UAS leverages service common Contractor Logistics Support and developmental activities and contracts for aircraft and ancillary equipment development, improvement, and sustainment.

Project S855 — Unmanned ISR
  • Product Development
  • Support
  • Test and Evaluation
  • Management Services
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Provenance

Cite this page

Sources
FY2027 Office of the Secretary of Defense RDT&E Budget Justification · Exhibits R-2 / R-3 · PE 1160434BB (President's Budget PB2027).
Suggested citation
HitchAI, "Unmanned ISR (PE 1160434BB)," federal budget intelligence, PB2027 vintage. hitchintel.com/programs/1160434BB
Machine access
Markdown twin /programs/1160434BB.md · MCP mcp.hitchintel.com → budget_get_program_element