# DARC Sites 1, 2 and 3 Operational Capability

**R-2A activity** of project 656565 — Ground Based SDA  
**Program element:** 1206425SF — Space Situation Awareness Systems  
**Component:** U.S. Space Force · **Budget Activity:** 5  
**Vintage:** President's Budget PB2027  
**Canonical URL:** https://hitchintel.com/programs/1206425SF/656565/a0  
**Parent:** https://hitchintel.com/programs/1206425SF/656565

> **RESTART.** Funded in FY2025 ($226.3M), zeroed in FY2026, $442.3M requested again in FY2027.

## Summary

This activity requests $442.3M in FY2027, 100% of project 656565 — a restart, funded in FY2025 and zeroed in 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.** Complete Site 1 Operational Testing, deliver the Operational Leave-Behind Capability, and begin Interim Contract Support. Continue Site 2 pre-construction activities and begin site construction. For Site 3, the Program Office will initiate engineering and design work. These efforts include execution of critical activities such as coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to gain approval to use the U.S. site. The Program Office will initiate Government stakeholder collaboration to finalize all roles, responsibilities, and resources required for streamlined site development and operations.

**FY2026 to FY2027 change.** The FY 2026 spend plan amount includes 281,861 thousands of mandatory (reconciliation) funds. FY 2027 increased due to funding required for DARC Site 1 Interim Contract Support and increased funding needed for DARC Site 2 and DARC Site 3.

## Before the request year

**FY2026 plans — current year.** Mandatory funding would complete Site 1 system and software integration and developmental test activities. Complete the integration of all DARC Site 1 subsystems, such as antennas, racks and operations consoles. Begin Operational Test and Evaluation subsystems, such as antennas, racks and operations consoles for Site 1. Continue Site 2 design and development activities and complete Critical Design Review (CDR). Continue pre-construction activities, to include environmental work and any requirements from UK Towne & Planning council. Prepare for connection of fiber optics communication lines and infrastructure, such as the power grid, backup generators, and main water line. Begin purchasing Site 2 long-lead and facility hardware. For Site 3, the Program Office will execute pre-acquisition activities such as coordination with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to gain approval to use the U.S. site. Collaborate with Government stakeholders to finalize roles, responsibilities, and resources required for site development and operations. Rapidly respond to urgent needs by developing and implementing the system resiliency and domain awareness capabilities necessary to operate in the contested space domain and support USINDOPACOM activities. Activities may include, but are not limited to program office support, studies, technical analysis, experimentation, prototyping, and activities that may leverage commercial and international opportunities.

## Funding

| Fiscal Year | Estimate Type | Amount ($M) |
|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | Actual | 226.3 |
| FY2026 | Enacted | 0.0 |
| FY2027 | Request | 442.3 |

> 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 1206425SF project 656565 (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.*