Autonomous Tactical Fabric
Autonomous Tactical Fabric (ATF) delivers "Space Operations of the Future” by fundamentally changing how Guardians interact with the battlespace. ATF consists of transformational Infrastructure Modernization to create a deliberate, resilient architecture where physical location does not limit space operations, Fabric to enable cross-mission data accessibility for autonomy and analytics, and Mission Operations where health and status data integrates with the Fabric along with path-independent communication for Fleet Operations and Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML) is applied to reduce repetitive functions and data overload while implementing. Additionally, Integration will perform the technical, hands-on integration needed to connect intra-program technical areas as well as USSF and DAF stakeholders to the Infrastructure and Fabric. ATF will enable future Space Force operations to be conducted from diverse locations, using any sensor or system, while also autonomously harmonizing data across various echelons at speed and scale. ATF will increase resilience, automation, and connectivity to operate throughout the conflict spectrum by creating an ecosystem for weapon systems to connect in order to share data needed to elevate decisions. The program will implement autonomous sensor orchestration, path-agnostic meshed networking, and a common, shared, distributed data plane to fundamentally pivot space operations with next generation of software to accelerate decision making. ATF is not replacing existing programs or projects, but building the underlying ecosystem and framework needed to interconnect systems and data. USSF Space Systems Command is developing the Autonomous Tactical Fabric for Guardians across warfighting, ops commands, and combat support organizations. As a result, the Service will improve battle management of all weapon systems; deliver SDA capabilities; and deter, neutralize, defeat and/or destroy counterspace threats and defend the homeland; and continue to advance all near term effects. This program falls within the Space Domain Awareness (SDA) mission area which provides the space-based and ground-based architecture required to detect, track, catalogue, and identify objects and activities in the space domain.
FY2027 planned work Initiate infrastructure work (i.e., physical infrastructure, power, cooling, etc.) needed to establish an ecosystem for distributed, resilient operations. Buy hardware as needed to support the initialization of the infrastructure. Begin assessment of workload requirements (i.e., compute and storage) needed by mission areas and to host a cognitive mission fabric to synchronize USSF weapon systems at various echelons.
FY2026 to FY2027 change FY 2027 increase of 932.680 million due to being a new start.
FY2027 planned work Award the cognitive mission fabric contract and begin integration with the infrastructure. Operationalize initial interface abstraction prototype capabilities for the SDA mission. Purchase and install long lead hardware items for the network nodes to connect the Infrastructure and Fabric and enable a cross-mission communication and data sharing.
FY2026 to FY2027 change FY 2027 increase of 369.600 million due to being a new start.
FY2027 planned work Prototype tool and technologies to expedite integration of mission specific operations data onto the Fabric, which includes satellite and payload health and status information as well as ground-based sensor data. Demonstrate operational function of AI/ML technologies to reduce repetitive functions needed to eliminate data overload. Modify antenna interfaces to integrate with the USSF antenna orchestrator.
FY2026 to FY2027 change FY 2027 increase of 113.300 million due to being a new start
FY2027 planned work Begin integration of networks with the infrastructure. Begin integration of initial interface abstraction prototype capabilities into the Fabric. Begin technical planning and integration for mission specific data fortwo mission areas.
FY2026 to FY2027 change FY 2027 increase of 108.730 million due to being a new start.