USSPACECOM Rapid Prototype Demonstration
The U.S. Space Command Research and Development program will ensure a comprehensive military advantage in space by integrating existing space capabilities from the Armed Services and the Intelligence Community with innovations from national laboratories and commercial partners. The program will promote responsible behavior in space, advocate greater space capabilities, and collaborate with industry partners to achieve national space objectives. This will be accomplished through the acceleration of technology demonstrations, rapid operational prototyping, and experimentation to increase lethality. The RDT&E program will also conduct assessments of current and possible future space-based effects via model-based analysis. The Capability and Verification Environment (CAVE) Lab will support the prioritized analysis of space systems, including: • Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT) • Satellite Communications (SATCOM) • Missile Warning/Golden Dome • Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities and Integration • Space Domain Awareness (SDA) and sensing needs • Orbital Warfare systems • Ground Infrastructure/Command and Control (C2) studies This will inform service capability roadmaps and funding to meet the required effects for the Space Area of Responsibility (AOR).
FY2027 planned work Bring highly technical expertise to bear against the hardest problems of space- domain operations and Joint Emerging Operational Needs (JEONs) in a way that cannot be provided by industry, academia, or assigned staff.
FY2026 to FY2027 change Funding increased due to increase in requirements.
FY2026 plans — current year Bring highly technical expertise to bear against the hardest problems of space- domain operations and Joint Emerging Operational Needs (JEONs) in a way that cannot be provided by industry, academia, or assigned staff. Projects must align to the CDRUSSPACECOM's Strategic Vision, Campaign Plan, and JWC; and must close severe vulnerabilities and/or immediate operational gaps within 24 months. Subject Matter Experts (SME) support to J813 for technical reviews of OUSW, Service, and Agency capability demonstrations, project reviews, and technical interchanges for project endorsement and advocacy.
FY2027 planned work Provide an environment for commercial partner collaboration; and threat and information sharing.
FY2026 to FY2027 change Funding increased due to increase in requirements.
FY2026 plans — current year Provide an environment for commercial partner collaboration; and threat and information sharing.
Expand capabilities in: - Baseline software, tools, models, and data at the mission- and campaign-level to inform senior leaders evolving inquiries and decisions on space investments, requirements, acquisition, operational COAs, operational risk, and future planning; Baseline front-end campaign-level and mission-level M&S software and…
Read the FY2027 plan →FY2027 planned work Commercial capability integration into USSPACECOM systems. Exercise CDRUSSPACECOM's ability to support technology transition and transfer between academia, laboratories, international partners and industry; Bridge acquisition gap; Spin in and spin out capabilities; Commercial integration.
FY2026 to FY2027 change Funding increased due to increase in requirements.
FY2026 plans — current year Commercial capability integration into USSPACECOM systems. Exercise CDRUSSPACECOM's ability to support technology transition and transfer between academia, laboratories, international partners and industry; Bridge acquisition gap; Spin in and spin out capabilities; Commercial integration.
FY2027 planned work Providing Science and Technology (S&T), Research and Development (R&D) rapid prototyping design, development, integration, demonstration, and test; Conduct various space and ground-based propulsion, battle management command, control, computers, communication, and intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance (C5ISR), electronic warfare, and space superiority studies, experiments, JEONs and demonstrations.
FY2026 to FY2027 change Funding increased due to increase in requirements.
FY2026 plans — current year Providing Science and Technology (S&T), Research and Development (R&D) rapid prototyping design, development, integration, demonstration, and test; Conduct various space and ground-based propulsion, battle management command, control, computers, communication, and intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance (C5ISR), electronic warfare, and space superiority studies, experiments, JEONs and demonstrations.
FY2027 planned work Develop NAVWAR defeat techniques that are applicable to the Indo Pacific AOR. Procure modeling and simulation capabilities for a special program certified test environment.
FY2026 to FY2027 change Funding increased due to increase in requirements.
FY2026 plans — current year Develop NAVWAR defeat techniques that are applicable to the Indo Pacific AOR. Procure modeling and simulation capabilities for a special program certified test environment.
FY2027 planned work Manage and oversee command and control integration efforts. Establish procedures and develop tools for orchestration of sensors, to include Upgraded Early Warning Radars, to account for sensor downtimes and operational requirements. Continued testing of sensors and machine-to-machine tasking to enhance command and control of sensors.
FY2026 to FY2027 change Funding increased due to increase in requirements.
FY2026 plans — current year Continued testing of sensors and machine-to-machine tasking to enhance command and control of sensors Incorporating Upgraded Early Warning Radar into BCN Develop sensor management procedures to deconflict scheduled sensor downtime for Lighthouse integration purposes