# Resilient Architecture Design and Evaluation

**R-2A activity** of project 649493 — Resilient Architecture Design and Evaluation  
**Program element:** 1206458SF — Tech Transition (Space)  
**Component:** U.S. Space Force · **Budget Activity:** 4  
**Vintage:** President's Budget PB2027  
**Canonical URL:** https://hitchintel.com/programs/1206458SF/649493/a0  
**Parent:** https://hitchintel.com/programs/1206458SF/649493

## Summary

This activity requests $220.5M in FY2027, 100% of project 649493, up 112% 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.** Continue: - Operational experimentation and modeling/simulation activities to advance next-generation resilient network enterprise management and control capabilities, establish scalability to DoW traffic loads, and optimize traffic flow algorithms across the hybrid DoW-commercial SATCOM architecture. ‒ Acquisition of commercial SATCOM services for use in experimentation and assessment of new capabilities. ‒ Development of trusted network device engineering units to support software- and hardware-in-the-loop experimentation with related prototyping and acquisition programs. Includes procurement of space- rated flight units. ‒ Early adopter tests and integration with next-generation terrestrial data transport investments. ‒ Next milestone experiment dynamic trust factors to inform ongoing and future programs of record. - Compatibility testing of existing and new user equipment with future narrowband architectures. Commence: - Evaluation of 5G Non-terrestrial Networks (NTN) user equipment under DoW user requirements to include latency, capacity, and security. - Compatibility testing of existing and new user equipment for 5G Non-terrestrial Networks (NTN), as well as other frequencies - Prototype integration of commercial 5G Non-terrestrial Networks (NTN) capabilities into DoW information systems. - Efforts to seamlessly transition prototype systems into Department of Army, Navy, Air Force SATCOM procurements. - Analysis of new experiments for the full cohort of force designs including mission services for multi-domain sensing, Positioning Navigation and Timing (PNT) including security framework for Modular Open SaTnav Architecture, and space control within the hybrid space network. - Prototyping future Ultra High Frequency (UHF) capabilities including space and ground segments and user equipment modifications, including: --Procurement of long-lead parts for UHF communication payloads. --Procurement of long-lead parts for a space vehicle suitable for Medium Earth Orbit (MEO). --Systems engineering design reviews including Systems Requirements Review (SRR) and Preliminary Design Review (PDR) for the software defined radio and antenna communications payloads. --Systems engineering design reviews including Systems Requirements Review (SRR) and Preliminary Design Review (PDR) for the satellite vehicle system and components. --Testing of current UHF SATCOM user hardware in ground tests under the constraints of the newly designed system. Complete: ‒ Prototyping variable trust engine extending DoW zero trust principles across the internetwork to dynamically provide improved availability and security. ‒ Development and test of network service orchestrator based on commercial products to quantify and improve security and resiliency. ‒ Assessment of inclusion of narrowband technologies into the experimental next-generation resilient network. This may include (1) leveraging commercial 5G cellular waveforms and (2) technologies enabling space-based UHF broadcast supporting both legacy and modern user equipment.

**FY2026 to FY2027 change.** FY 2027 increased compared to FY 2026 by $116.351 million due to 1) accelerating Narrowband technologies, specifically 5G for tactical user equipment compatibility with commercial partners and Low Earth Orbit satellite constellations, 2) conducting initial requirements and design reviews and procurement of long-lead parts for innovative Ultra High Frequency (UHF) communication payloads and space vehicle for a Narrowband UHF prototype satellite launch in Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) planned for FY 2030 and 3) delivery of Space Data Network prototype ground trusted network hardware for terrestrial exchange point fielding.

## Before the request year

**FY2026 plans — current year.** Continue: ‒ Operational experimentation and modeling/simulation activities to advance next-generation resilient network enterprise management and control capabilities, establish scalability to DoW traffic loads, and optimize traffic flow algorithms across the hybrid DoW-commercial satellite communication (SATCOM) architecture. ‒ Prototyping variable trust engine extending DoW zero trust principles across the internetwork to dynamically provide improved availability and security. ‒ Development and test of network service orchestrator based on commercial products to quantify and improve security and resiliency. ‒ Acquisition of commercial SATCOM services for use in experimentation and assessment of new capabilities. ‒ Development of trusted network device engineering units to support software- and hardware-in-the-loop experimentation with related prototyping and acquisition programs. Includes procurement of secure processing devices and long-lead items for space-rated flight units. ‒ Early adopter tests and integration with next-generation terrestrial data transport investments. ‒ Next milestone experiment dynamic trust factors to inform ongoing and future programs of record. ‒ Assessment of inclusion of narrowband technologies into the experimental next-generation resilient network. This may include (1) leveraging commercial 5G cellular waveforms and (2) technologies enabling space-based UHF broadcast supporting both legacy and modern user equipment. Complete: ‒ Analysis of milestone experiment characterizing advanced authentication, authorization and trust factors to refine the experimental next-generation resilient network and inform ongoing and future programs of record.

## Funding

| Fiscal Year | Estimate Type | Amount ($M) |
|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | Actual | 58.5 |
| FY2026 | Enacted | 104.2 |
| FY2027 | Request | 220.5 |

> 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 1206458SF project 649493 (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.*