# Experimentation Space

**R-2A activity** of project 64S444 — Experimentation (Space)  
**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/64S444/a0  
**Parent:** https://hitchintel.com/programs/1206458SF/64S444

## Summary

This activity requests $20.5M in FY2027, 100% of project 64S444, down 90% 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.** Complete: - Development of customized antennas needed for the most challenging platforms. - Integration and flight test on prioritized aircraft. - Ground and flight tests of various combinations of multi-constellation radios with multi-band antennas. - Inclusion of additional constellation links, integrated into Hybrid SATCOM Terminals, for air and ground platforms. - Networking and interoperability tests with DAF Battle Network - NSA certification of cryptographic unit. Continue: - Development of second-generation antenna for tactical fighter

**FY2026 to FY2027 change.** FY 2027 funding decreased by $188.973 million due to completion of antennas for all key aircraft and completion of modem/antenna testing, while remaining fielding activities will transition to PAE-C3BM.

## Before the request year

**FY2026 plans — current year.** Continue: - Development of customized antennas needed for the most challenging platforms. - Integration on initial test platforms. - Ground and flight testing with emerging satellite constellations. - Networking and interoperability tests with DAF Battle Network. - Flight worthiness for initial platforms. Complete: - Integration assessments on all platforms. - Development of prototypes for the Hybrid SATCOM Terminals that can be integrated on air and ground platforms. - Complete flight test of dual-band, LEO-GEO SATCOM on tactical fighter

## Funding

| Fiscal Year | Estimate Type | Amount ($M) |
|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | Actual | 138.1 |
| FY2026 | Enacted | 209.5 |
| FY2027 | Request | 20.5 |

> 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 64S444 (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.*