# Data Processing & Analytics

**R-2A activity** of project 657009 — Space Mod Initiative  
**Program element:** 1206442SF — Next Generation OPIR  
**Component:** U.S. Space Force · **Budget Activity:** 5  
**Vintage:** President's Budget PB2027  
**Canonical URL:** https://hitchintel.com/programs/1206442SF/657009/a2  
**Parent:** https://hitchintel.com/programs/1206442SF/657009

## Summary

This activity requests $78.1M in FY2027, 44% of project 657009, down 6.9% on 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.** As the Data Processing & Analytics flagship investment, Space Modernization Initiative (SMI) will exploit emerging Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) solutions to deliver tools necessary to operate the Proliferated Warfighting Architecture and manage the warfighters' cognitive load that will be stressed by the volume of data from proliferated sensors. Develop intelligent automated ground processing and operator Common Operating Picture (COP) solutions that ultimately put the operator on-the-loop instead of in-the-loop. More specifically, automate target extraction, typing, and characterization with a confidence level that will enable lower priority targets to be released and reported automatically when operators become overwhelmed, enabling operators to focus on higher priority targets. Data Processing & Analytics will also continue to enhance methods of generating Two Dimensional (2D) monotracks and fused Three Dimensional (3D) tracks to type and characterize Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) events more precisely. In addition, Data Processing & Analytics will explore new ways to extract targets and deliver capabilities for extracting and typing targets from raw OPIR data. These efforts will support long-term objectives of transitioning new solutions to onboard (in orbit) processing to more fully exploit proliferated sensor investments while simultaneously mitigating challenges associated with large volumes of data overwhelming ground systems and operators. Data Processing & Analytics will leverage and enhance modeling and simulation tools, such as the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) Sensor and Scene Emulation Tool (ASSET) to emulate Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) data from future proliferated sensors using high fidelity payload models. These efforts will enable OPIR Tools, Applications, and Processing (TAP) Lab to develop and test Artificial Intelligence/ Machine Learning (AI/ML) solutions before actual sensor data becomes available. Execute larger Development, Security, Operations (DevSecOps) infrastructure investments to include development and delivery of a hybrid on-prem/cloud environment to fully support exploitation of projected proliferated sensor data, host associated ML operations and provide fast access to curated data object storage for solution implementation, enabling a seamless Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) pipeline for capability deployment to the program of record. Rapidly respond to implement system resiliency and situational awareness necessary to operate in the contested space domain. Activities may include, but are not limited to program office support, studies, technical analysis, experimentation, risk reduction, prototyping, and activities that 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 decreased due to reduction of TAP Lab and OBAC Support Services (TLOSS) activities.

## Before the request year

**FY2026 plans — current year.** As the Data Processing & Analytics flagship investment, Space Modernization Initiative (SMI) will exploit emerging Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) solutions to deliver tools necessary to operate the Proliferated Warfighting Architecture and manage the warfighters' cognitive load that will be stressed by the volume of data from proliferated sensors. Develop intelligent automated ground processing and operator Common Operating Picture (COP) solutions that ultimately put the operator on-the-loop instead of in-the-loop. More specifically, automate target extraction, typing, and characterization with a confidence level that will enable lower priority targets to be released and reported automatically when operators become overwhelmed, enabling operators to focus on higher priority targets. Data Processing & Analytics will also continue to enhance methods of generating Two Dimensional (2D) monotracks and fused 3D tracks to type and characterize Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) events more precisely. In addition, Data Processing & Analytics will explore new ways to extract targets and deliver capabilities for extracting and typing targets from raw OPIR data. These efforts will support long-term objectives of transitioning new solutions to onboard (in orbit) processing to more fully exploit proliferated sensor investments while simultaneously mitigating challenges associated with large volumes of data overwhelming ground systems and operators. Data Processing & Analytics will leverage and enhance modeling and simulation tools, such as the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) Sensor and Scene Emulation Tool (ASSET) to emulate OPIR data from future proliferated sensors using high fidelity payload models. These efforts will enable OPIR Tools, Applications, and Processing (TAP) Lab to develop and test Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) solutions before actual sensor data becomes available. Execute larger Development, Security, Operations (DevSecOps) infrastructure investments to include development and delivery of a hybrid on-prem/cloud environment to fully support exploitation of projected proliferated sensor data, host associated Machine Learning (ML) operations and provide fast access to curated data object storage for solution implementation, enabling a seamless Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) pipeline for capability deployment to the program of record. Rapidly respond to implement system resiliency and situational awareness necessary to operate in the contested space domain. Activities may include, but are not limited to program office support, studies, technical analysis, experimentation, risk reduction, prototyping, and activities that may leverage commercial, U.S. Government partnership, and international opportunities to respond to existing and emerging adversarial threats with speed and agility.

## Funding

| Fiscal Year | Estimate Type | Amount ($M) |
|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | Actual | 93.2 |
| FY2026 | Enacted | 83.9 |
| FY2027 | Request | 78.1 |

> 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.

## Other activities in project 657009

- [Demonstrations/Prototypes](https://hitchintel.com/programs/1206442SF/657009/a0) — FY2027 38.5
- [Technology Maturation](https://hitchintel.com/programs/1206442SF/657009/a1) — FY2027 24.6
- [Capability Exploitation](https://hitchintel.com/programs/1206442SF/657009/a4) — FY2027 20.0
- [Wide Field of View (WFOV) On-Orbit Testbed Mission Integration](https://hitchintel.com/programs/1206442SF/657009/a3) — FY2027 18.2

## Source & machine access

- **Source:** FY2027 Department of the Air Force RDT&E Budget Justification, Exhibit R-2A, PE 1206442SF project 657009 (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.*