# USSF Integrated Operations Networking (ION)

**R-2A activity** of project 673945 — Integrated Operations Networking (ION)  
**Program element:** 1203156SF — Data Transport and Networking  
**Component:** U.S. Space Force · **Budget Activity:** 7  
**Vintage:** President's Budget PB2027  
**Canonical URL:** https://hitchintel.com/programs/1203156SF/673945/a0  
**Parent:** https://hitchintel.com/programs/1203156SF/673945

> **NEW START.** $34.8M requested in FY2027 with no prior-year and no current-year funding.

## Summary

This activity requests $34.8M in FY2027, 100% of project 673945 — a new start with no prior-year and no current-year money. The R-2A exhibit describes it across FY2027, including what the FY2027 money is planned to buy.

## What the FY2027 request buys

**FY2027 planned work.** FY 2027 efforts will focus on scaling and accelerating the expansion of classified cloud and networking infrastructure to support secure data transport in alignment with projected threat timelines. This includes building upon the existing pathfinder implementation to connect disparate classified space capabilities into integrated, resilient data transport network. ION will continue to support the terrestrial network, advancing the integration of a secure, reliable, multi-classification transport layer. This includes the incorporation of Command and Control (C2) nodes into the existing classified kill web, directly enhancing the National Space Test and Training Complex (NSTTC). These improvements will increase classified communication resiliency, align development activities, and expand opportunities for advanced training and testing- leveraging test and training data sources into UDL to strengthen USSF's ability to protect and defend high-priority space missions. ION enables rapid response capabilities by enhancing system resiliency and situational awareness—key to operating in a contested space domain. Planned activities may include, but are not limited to program office support, studies, technical analysis, experimentation, risk reduction, and prototyping. Efforts may leverage commercial, U.S. Government partnership, and international opportunities to respond to existing and emerging adversarial threats with speed and agility.

**FY2026 to FY2027 change.** FY 2027 funding increased due to ION funds transferring into this new Program Element 1203156SF, Project 673945 in FY 2027 to consolidate data transport and networking efforts to provide greater transparency and alignment of common functions. This is not a new start.

## Funding

| Fiscal Year | Estimate Type | Amount ($M) |
|---|---|---|
| FY2027 | Request | 34.8 |

> 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.

## Source & machine access

- **Source:** FY2027 Department of the Air Force RDT&E Budget Justification, Exhibit R-2A, PE 1203156SF project 673945 (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.*