Tactical Air Control Party-Mod

Abstract

This budget line funds the Air Force Special Warfare (AFSPECWAR) Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) Weapon System which executes precision strike, integration, and all-domain command and control missions to meet Air Force power projection for the joint force's expanded maneuver. TACP Airmen are part of the Air Force's premier ground combat units that are highly maneuverable and scalable. They execute ground-based command and control functions and seamlessly integrate kinetic and non-kinetic effects across the entire spectrum of conflict. They do this by providing joint force air component commanders with a highly trained force that operates at the tactical edge in highly contested environments and complicates enemy decision-making processes. Additionally, TACP Airmen conduct precision strike and integration operations at all echelons of maneuver warfare, from dismounted operations on the forward edge of the battlefield to tactical command posts; TACP Airmen plan, request, advise, and control joint fires and air power to meet supported commander's objectives. The purpose of the Tactical Air Control Party - Modernization (TACP-M) program is to provide TACPs with modernized voice, data and video communications, advanced targeting equipment, and enhanced battlefield awareness/management capabilities across all domains. Improved targeting and data communications capabilities improve kill chain timelines, defeat adversary systems through opening and closing kill webs, extended critical networks to the forward edge, and when required reduce the probability of fratricide or collateral damage. The TACP-M program support includes addressing frequent TACP combat deployments that sometimes lead users to change equipment procurement priorities to support urgent operational needs and respond to evolving threat environments. The TACP-M program jointly develops software with other AFSPECWAR programs to consolidate requirements that are common across the AFSPECWAR enterprise. This teaming arrangement helps standardize equipment, improves efficiency by consolidating acquisition efforts, and often reduces unit costs by increasing procurement quantities. The TACP-M program provides and modernizes capabilities in the following five major areas: (1) Air Support Operations Center (ASOC)/ Tactical Operational Center (TOC) systems (used in mobile and maneuverable operations centers), (2) Vehicle Mounted Systems (used in tactical vehicles) and maneuverable operations, (3) Dismounted Systems (primarily used by Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTACs) in wearable configurations), (4) Digitally-Aided Close Air Support (DACAS) software, and (5) Support distributed and resilient ground-based command and control teams that leverage airpower within the Theater Air Control System FY25 funding will allow for the continued development of the CASS 1.4.5 and WARHAWK software. The CASS 1.4.5 and WARHAWK software program will modernize the software used in Command, Control, Communications and Cybersecurity (C4) processing systems for ASOC/TOC operations, as well as, vehicle Mounted and Dismounted operations. The software will allow enhanced capability and seamless communication between the operations centers and the TACP military units in high combat areas. TACP-M funding also supports innovation activities to include studies, analyses, requirements definition, and quick-reaction capability prototypes/demonstrations to accelerate planning for technology transition, technology insertion and future acquisition programs such as but not limited to Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver weapon system capability. The use of such programs funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program element 0605827F, 0605828F, 0605829F, 0605831F, 0605832F, 0605833F, 0605898F, 0606398F. In FY23 $00.000M was expended for civilian pay expenses in this program element, and in FY24 $00.000M is forecasted for civilian pay expenses in this program element. This program is in Budget Activity 7, Operational System Development because this budget activity includes development efforts to upgrade systems that have been fielded or have received approval for full rate production and anticipate production funding in the current or subsequent fiscal year.

Document Details

• Document Type: R2 Budgetary Justification
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2025
• Source ID: 0207444F_7_3600_PB_2025
• Change Summary Explanation: The FY 2025 funding request was reduced by $.127 million to account for the availability of prior year execution balances.
• Service Agency Name: Air Force

Entities

Organizations

• United States Air Force

Tags

Readers

• Civilian Systems Systems Program Capability Development and Upgrade Support Activity Expense and Pay Management.
• Enterprise Information Systems Architecture and Joint Command Capability Interoperability Support.
• Geochemistry

Technology Areas

• Cyber
• Fully Networked C3
• Fully Networked C3 - Command and Control