Airborne SIGINT Enterprise

Abstract

This program funds multi-domain, multi-Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) research, development, test and evaluation (RDT&E) efforts in support of the National Defense Strategy (NDS), as applied by the Air Force in the Next Generation ISR Dominance Flight Plan. Specifically, Program Element (PE) 0304260F provides authorized and appropriated funding to Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) RDT&E efforts for utilization on airborne platforms. The future ISR portfolio will consist of multi-domain, multi-intelligence systems to meet emerging ISR threats across the entire conflict spectrum. The Airborne SIGINT Enterprise (ASE) PE is integral to developing the SIGINT component of the multi-domain, multi-ISR system capable of maintaining the warfighter's decision advantage through all ranges of military operations, to include highly contested environments (HCEs). ASE program funds are distributed to projects based on the development priorities established by the USAF SIGINT Capabilities Working Group (SCWG), which is chartered to guide the ASE capability investment. When required, the USAF may move funds between ASE projects, developing the highest priority projects in response to urgent (e.g., JUON) and emerging (e.g., JEON) warfighter needs. The ASE program participates in the development, integration, testing, and implementation of international and Air Force standards (e.g., North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) standardization) to ensure joint, allied, and coalition interoperability with ASE fielded systems. ASE funds lead the modernization efforts including existing airborne platform sensors, and where appropriate, their interfaces with the Air Force Distributed Common Ground System (AF DCGS). The ASE program approach is a synergistic development effort providing Air Force-wide ISR capabilities consistent with the NDS. ASE will use the continuously evolving Air Force SIGINT Architecture (AFSA), managed by the AFSA team, for planning and decision-making. The AFSA team is focused on employing open architecture standards whenever possible, to allow maximum effectiveness, efficiency and flexibility of development upgrades with multi-domain interoperability. The primary goal is to produce an open system architecture-based, capability-focused SIGINT investment strategy for the USAF. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver emergent or unanticipated weapon system capability. The use of such program funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program element 0605827F, 0605828F, 0605829F, 0605831F, 0605832F, 0605833F, 0605898F, 0606398F. In FY23, $0.514M was expended for civilian pay expenses in this program element, and in FY24, $1.244M 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: 0304260F_7_3600_PB_2025
• Change Summary Explanation: FY23 $11.231M was realigned to other AF priorities. The FY 2025 funding request was reduced by $4.366 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.