# Space-Based Space Domain Awareness (SDA)

**R-2A activity** of project 65A006 — Space 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/65A006/a0  
**Parent:** https://hitchintel.com/programs/1206425SF/65A006

> **RESTART.** Funded in FY2025 ($169.1M), zeroed in FY2026, $148.8M requested again in FY2027.

## Summary

This activity requests $148.8M in FY2027, 100% of project 65A006 — 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.** Key planned efforts include: SILENTBARKER-B: Continue development for the next increment of GEO-based SDA capabilities. Continue studies and development for future USSF SDA GEO space-based SDA capabilities leveraging commercial/DoW product lines. Support on-going mission data processing and dissemination efforts across SILENTBARKER and other SDA prototypes. Technology Development and Prototyping: Advance SDA capability through technology enhancements targeting evolving threats. FY 2027 efforts will include studies, analyses, demonstrations, and experimentation to support future upgrades, system extensions, and performance augmentations for surveillance. Prototype Mission (Oracle-M) and operational checkout for AFRL and SSC prototype mission to include contractor logistics support. Continue on-orbit experimentation, mission level technical baseline activities. The Oculus SV effort (YSG-XX) will transition to the SG-XX BPAC in FY27 to cover payload and bus integration and launch preparation. Enterprise Integration and Resiliency: Continue support for implementing resilient SDA systems and enhancing situational awareness. Activities may include program office support, technical studies, experimentation, integration and testing of C2 systems, mission partner interfaces, space test/combat range events, and related support efforts. Strategic Partnerships: FY2027 will further leverage commercial, international, and interagency collaboration opportunities to expand SDA capabilities and accelerate threat-responsive innovation.

**FY2026 to FY2027 change.** The program received 236,854 thousands of mandatory (reconciliation) funding in FY26. In FY27, there is a funding decrease for Space-Based Space Domain Awareness (SDA).

## Before the request year

**FY2026 plans — current year.** Mandatory (reconciliation) funding in FY2026 will continue advancing space-based SDA capabilities critical to operations in the contested space domain, with a focus on system resiliency, prototyping, and operational experimentation. Key planned efforts include: SILENTBARKER Expansion: Continue launch preparations, integration, and development activities for the SILENTBARKER Expansion increment, as well as development for the follow-on SILENTBARKER-B increment to enhance GEO-based SDA capabilities. Support ongoing mission data processing and dissemination efforts across SILENTBARKER and other SDA prototypes. Technology Development and Prototyping: Advance SDA capability through technology enhancements targeting evolving threats. FY2026 efforts will include studies, SB-NEXT studies, analyses, demonstrations, and experimentation to support future upgrades, system extensions, and performance augmentations for surveillance and reconnaissance. Oculus Hosted Payload Program: Continue development and integration of SDA Hosted Payload on a commercial platform. FY 2026 will integrate the Oculus payload onto a host, including payload characterization and environmental testing. The Oculus effort remains a cost-effective GEO-based SDA gap-filler leveraging commercial and international partnerships. Prototype Missions (Oracle-M): Launch, on-orbit experimentation, and operations for AFRL and SSC prototype missions. Enterprise Integration and Resiliency: Continue support for implementing resilient SDA systems and enhancing situational awareness. Activities may include program office support, technical studies, experimentation, integration and testing of C2 systems, mission partner interfaces, space test/ combat range events, and related support efforts. Strategic Partnerships: FY 2026 will further leverage commercial, international, and interagency collaboration opportunities to expand SDA capabilities and accelerate threat-responsive innovation.

## Funding

| Fiscal Year | Estimate Type | Amount ($M) |
|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | Actual | 169.1 |
| FY2026 | Enacted | 0.0 |
| FY2027 | Request | 148.8 |

> 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 1206425SF project 65A006 (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.*