# Space Situation Awareness Systems — Program Element 1206425SF

**Program element:** 1206425SF  
**Component:** U.S. Space Force  
**Appropriation:** 3620F — RDT&E, Space Force  
**Budget Activity:** 5 — System Development & Demonstration  
**Vintage:** President's Budget PB2027  
**Canonical URL:** https://hitchintel.com/programs/1206425SF

## Summary

U.S. Space Force requests $1.32B in FY2027 against nothing enacted in FY2026, before stepping down 54% across the five-year plan. In the FY2027 defense authorization, the House funded it in full; the Senate funded it in full; House appropriators cut 5.2% (to $1.25B). Northrop Grumman leads the industry work.

## Funding profile

| Fiscal Year | Estimate Type | Amount ($M) |
|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | Actual | 444.5 |
| FY2026 | Enacted | 0.0 |
| FY2027 | Request | 1,317.8 |
| FY2028 | Outyear | 1,806.2 |
| FY2029 | Outyear | 2,124.3 |
| FY2030 | Outyear | 1,026.2 |
| FY2031 | Outyear | 601.8 |

> Estimate types are not summed — the profile mixes actuals, enacted law, the request, and outyear projections.

## Congressional marks (FY2027)

| Stage | Marked ($M) | Change ($M) |
|---|---|---|
| Request | 1,317.8 | — |
| House NDAA (HASC) | 1,317.8 | +0.0 |
| Senate NDAA (SASC) | 1,317.8 | +0.0 |
| House Approps (HAC-D) | 1,249.8 | −68.0 |

> FY2027 NDAA authorization marks, as of 2026-07-27. Not appropriations or final law.

## Projects (5)

| Project | Title | FY2025 actual | FY2026 enacted | FY2027 request | Move |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 656565 | Ground Based SDA | 226.3 | 0.0 | 442.3 | — |
| 65A041 | SG-XX | 0.0 | 0.0 | 370.9 | new start |
| 65A036 | RG-XX | 0.0 | 0.0 | 355.9 | new start |
| 65A006 | Space Based SDA | 169.1 | 0.0 | 148.8 | — |
| 65A037 | Ground Based Optical Sensor | 49.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | — |

> Projects are the summable leaves: the program element total is their sum, never added to it.

### Project 656565 — Ground Based SDA

SSC/SYD 85/BAS is developing the Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability (DARC) (Project 656565) for Guardians across the USSF Space Domain Awareness (SDA) mission, Combined Forces Command, Mission Delta 2, and 20th Space Surveillance Squadron. As a result, the Service will (Pick at least one FY27 Effects, one enduring effect and add optional as needed). Space Domain Awareness (SDA) is one of five core competencies of the Space Force and is the effective identification, characterization, and understanding of any factor, passive or active, associated with the space domain that could affect space operations and thereby impact the security, safety, economy, or environment of our nation. As the foundation for space control, SDA encompasses surveillance of all space objects and activities; detailed surveillance of specific space assets; monitoring space environmental conditions; monitoring cooperative space assets; gathering indications and warnings on adversary space operations; and conducting integrated command, control, communications, processing, analysis, dissemination, and archiving activities. This program element develops, tests, upgrades and fields new SDA capabilities across the space surveillance network (SSN) while companion program element 1203940SF develops, fields, and operationalizes sensor networks and information integration capabilities. Activities funded in this program element (1206425SF) also support efforts such as engineering studies and analyses, architectural engineering studies, trade studies, technology needs forecasting, modernization initiatives, systems engineering, system development, and test & evaluation. Activities may include prototyping and technology demonstration(s). This program falls within the SDA mission area which provides a ground-based radar system that detects, tracks, and maintains custody of deep space objects 24/7 in all weather and through the solar exclusion gap. DARC will augment the Space Surveillance Network as an additional sensor with increased capacity and capability for deep space object custody, providing full global coverage. The FY 2026 spend plan amount includes $0 thousand of discretionary and $281,861 thousands of mandatory (reconciliation) for a total of $281,861 thousands. The mandatory funds continue construction and integration of Site 1, and development of Sites 2 & 3.

**Named R-3 performers** (share of this project's FY2027 R-3 total, so they need not reach 100%)**:** Northrop Grumman (401.2, 91%).

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| DARC Sites 1, 2 and 3 Operational Capability | 226.3 | 0.0 | 442.3 |

> R-2A activities carry the prior, current and budget year only — no five-year plan. Coverage is partial, so count them, never total them.

### Project 65A041 — SG-XX

Space Systems Command/Space Delta 89/Space Surveillance and Reconnaissance Branch (SSC/SYD89/SYZ) is developing, prototyping, demonstrating, and executing the next generation Surveillance Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO) program (SG-XX) to replace SILENTBARKER capabilities. This SDA effort satisfies one of five core competencies of the Space Force and is the effective identification, characterization, and understanding of any factor, passive or active, associated with the space domain that could affect space operations and thereby impact the security, safety, economy, or environment of our nation. As the foundation for space control, SDA encompasses surveillance of all space objects and activities: detailed surveillance of specific space assets; monitoring space environmental conditions; monitoring cooperative space assets; gathering indications and warning on adversary space operations; and conducting integrated command, control, communications, processing, analysis, dissemination, and archiving activities. These programs fall within the Space Domain Awareness (SDA) mission area which provides the space-based architecture required to detect, track, catalogue, and identify objects and activities in the space domain. This program element expands surveillance SDA capabilities, deploying a constellation of new proliferated SVs, which plans to integrate with existing, but evolving Space Control operations. Activities funded in this program element (1206425SF) also support efforts such as engineering studies and analyses, architectural engineering studies, trade studies, technology maturation, modernization initiatives, systems engineering, system development, risk mitigation, test & evaluation, and may include prototyping and technology demonstrations, such as the YSG-XX prototype program which directly applies commercial practices and risk reduction activities for SG-XX. SG-XX provides SDA capabilities and capacity to detect, track, and characterize threats to high value U.S. and allied satellites and is the USSF led follow-on to the SILENTBARKER program. SG-XX will use a flexible acquisition construct enabling concurrent and rapid onboarding of multiple new SV vendors, incorporate allied nation partnerships, and leverage commercial capabilities and services. SG-XX requirements for Space Based SDA are aligned with capabilities documented in the U.S.

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| SG-XX | — | 0.0 | 370.9 |

> R-2A activities carry the prior, current and budget year only — no five-year plan. Coverage is partial, so count them, never total them.

### Project 65A036 — RG-XX

Space Domain Awareness (SDA) is one of five core competencies of the Space Force and is the effective identification, characterization, and understanding of any factor, passive or active, associated with the space domain that could affect space operations and thereby impact the security, safety, economy, or environment of our nation. As the foundation for space control, SDA encompasses surveillance of all space objects and activities; detailed surveillance of specific space assets; monitoring space environmental conditions; monitoring cooperative space assets; gathering indications and warning on adversary space operations; and conducting integrated command, control, communications, processing, analysis, dissemination, and archiving activities. This program element expands reconnaissance and surveillance SDA capabilities, deploying a constellation of new proliferated space vehicles (SVs), which will integrate with existing, but evolving Space Control operations. Activities funded in this program element (1206425SF) also support efforts such as engineering studies and analyses, architectural engineering studies, trade studies, technology needs forecasting, modernization initiatives, systems engineering, system development, risk mitigation, and test & evaluation, and may include prototyping and technology demonstration. RG-XX will increase SDA capabilities and capacity to detect, track, and characterize threats to high value U.S. and allied satellites. SVs will use dynamic Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO) capabilities and may include refueling capability. RG-XX will use a flexible acquisition construct enabling concurrent and rapid onboarding of multiple new SV vendors, incorporate allied nation partnerships, and leverage commercial capabilities and services. RG-XX requirements are based on a Rapid Prototyping Requirements Document (RPRD) and a classified Capability Description Document (CDD). RG-XX will provide critical Fire Control capability such as search, detect, and track objects from space-based sensors for timely custody and event detection. Reconnaissance and Surveillance from space augments and overcomes existing ground sensor limitations with timely 24-hour above-the-weather collection of satellite metric data only possible with space-based sensors.

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| RG-XX | — | 0.0 | 355.9 |

> R-2A activities carry the prior, current and budget year only — no five-year plan. Coverage is partial, so count them, never total them.

### Project 65A006 — Space Based SDA

Space Domain Awareness (SDA) is one of five core competencies of the Space Force and is the effective identification, characterization, and understanding of any factor, passive or active, associated with the space domain that could affect space operations and thereby impact the security, safety, economy, or environment of our nation. As the foundation for space control, SDA encompasses surveillance of all space objects and activities; detailed surveillance of specific space assets; monitoring space environmental conditions; monitoring cooperative space assets; gathering indications and warning on adversary space operations; and conducting integrated command, control, communications, processing, analysis, dissemination, and archiving activities. This programs falls within the Space Domain Awareness (SDA) mission area which provides the space-based architecture required to detect, track, catalogue, and identify objects and activities in the space domain. As the foundation for space control, SDA encompasses surveillance of all space objects and activities; detailed surveillance of specific space assets; monitoring space environmental conditions; monitoring cooperative space assets; gathering indications and warning on adversary space operations; and conducting integrated command, control, communications, processing, analysis, dissemination, and archiving activities. Program interdependencies include: SC&C Software Pilot Program (1208248SF); Space Defense Interface Network (1203904SF); Space Situational Awareness Operations (1203940SF); Space Situational Awareness Systems (1206425SF)”Space Based SDA will develop and deliver capabilities and prototypes to provide space object surveillance and reconnaissance from space. The United States Space Force (USSF) and National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) have partnered on the Space Based SDA program to meet overlapping requirements through the SILENTBARKER program. The program is also developing prototypes to deliver additional space surveillance capabilities to meet emerging threats. Space Based SDA enables timely detection and custody of on-orbit threats to protect U.S. High Value Assets in support of the National Defense Strategy. Space Based SDA requirements are based on both the Statement of Capabilities and the current 2022 SDA Initial Capabilities Document, which is focused on protecting High Value Assets.

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Space-Based Space Domain Awareness (SDA) | 169.1 | 0.0 | 148.8 |

> R-2A activities carry the prior, current and budget year only — no five-year plan. Coverage is partial, so count them, never total them.

### Project 65A037 — Ground Based Optical Sensor

This Program Element develops, tests, upgrades and fields SDA capabilities across the Space Surveillance Network (SSN) while companion Program Element 1203940SF develops, fields, and operationalizes ground sensor networks and information integration capabilities. Activities funded in this Program Element (1206425SF) also support efforts such as engineering studies and analyses to include prototyping and technology demonstration(s), architectural engineering studies, trade studies, technology needs forecasting, modernization initiatives, systems engineering, system development, and test and evaluation. Ground Based Optical Sensor System (GBOSS) includes an upgrade to the Ground-based Electro-Optical Deep Space Surveillance (GEODSS) system that enables GEODSS to monitor small, closely-spaced, and advanced threats in low, mid, high, and geostationary orbits. The upgraded system will discover currently undetectable space threats, reduce an adversary's tactical surprise and deliver the data required to support accurate, timely, actionable Space Domain Awareness (SDA). This facilitates decision-making within the compressed timelines dictated by the realities of the congested, contested, competitive space domain. This enhanced SDA capability directly supports the Find, Fix, Track, Target, Engage, and Assess (F2T2EA) stages of the GEO Kill Chain, enabling more effective space control operations. GBOSS also investigates and may field the use of passive RF, infrared, or other capabilities to augment its current optical data, providing a more comprehensive understanding of the space domain. The program delivers a combination of performance upgrades to existing GEODSS sites, including advanced data exploitation and rapid data dissemination. The program will seek Allied partnerships to incorporate coalition data, purchase commercial data to increase capacity, and/or investigate and field new sites to provide a global capability to positively identify an adversary committing an orbital attack. This collaborative approach with allies leverages shared optical capabilities for enhanced space domain awareness and collective defense.

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground Based Optical Sensor System (GBOSS) | 49.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 |

> R-2A activities carry the prior, current and budget year only — no five-year plan. Coverage is partial, so count them, never total them.

## Where the FY2027 request goes

| Category | Share | $M |
|---|---|---|
| Industry primes | 30% | 401.2 |
| Government labs & warfare centers | 1.2% | 16.0 |
| Other / unspecified | 68% | 900.7 |

**Top named industry performers:** Northrop Grumman ($401.2M, 30%).

> R-3 exhibit contract funding, not USAspending obligations.

## Mission & acquisition strategy

Space Domain Awareness (SDA) is one of five core competencies of the Space Force and includes the effective identification, characterization, and understanding of any factor, passive or active, associated with the space domain that could affect space operations and thereby impact the security, safety, economy, or environment of our nation. As the foundation for space control, SDA encompasses surveillance of all space objects and activities; detailed surveillance of specific space assets; monitoring space environmental conditions; monitoring cooperative space assets; gathering indications and warning on adversary space operations; and conducting integrated command, control, communications…

The SILENTBARKER Acquisition Strategy was approved to minimize the SDA Space Based surveillance gap. SILENTBARKER Baseline launched in FY 2023. The SBSS Follow-on (SBSS FO) Materiel Development Decision was approved by the Milestone Decision Authority (MDA) on April 5, 2016. The Acquisition Strategy Panel was completed with the MDA on August 29, 2016. To satisfy the SDA architecture needs, the SBSS FO program requirements combined with an NRO program and were updated in the December 2017 SILENTBARKER Statement of Capabilities. The USSF is partnered with the NRO on SILENTBARKER space segment and telemetry, tracking, and commanding (TT&C) program segments to further National Security Space objectives.

## Related program elements

- [1208248SF — Space Domain Awareness/Planning/Tasking SW](https://hitchintel.com/programs/1208248SF) (Space Force)
- [0608041A — Defensive CYBER - Software Prototype Development](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0608041A) (Army)
- [0605301A — Army Kwajalein Atoll](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0605301A) (Army)
- [1203873SF — Sensor Development](https://hitchintel.com/programs/1203873SF) (Space Force)

## Source & machine access

- **Source:** FY2027 Department of the Air Force RDT&E Budget Justification, Exhibits R-2/R-3, PE 1206425SF (PB PB2027); FY2027 NDAA committee marks (as of 2026-07-27).
- **MCP:** `mcp.hitchintel.com` — `budget_get_program_element(pe="1206425SF")`.

*HitchAI is an independent intelligence service, not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Defense. Budget figures are requests/estimates, not obligations.*