Multi-Domain Sensing System (MDSS) Adv Dev

Abstract

PE 0604036A / Project BY9 was established in Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 to support sensor prototyping for initiation of the Army's Multi-Domain Sensing System (MDSS), a layered approach of Aerial Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (A-ISR) systems which allows for the best ability to achieve Multi-Domain Operations (MDO) capable deep sensing. The MDSS family of systems, including High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System (HADES), High Altitude Extended Range Long Endurance, Intelligence Observation System (HELIOS), High Altitude Platform-Deep Sensing (HAP-DS), Aerial GEOINT Systems (ARGOS), and High Efficiency Radios Frequency (RF) Management & Exploitation System (HERMES), is comprised of a variety of platform/sensor combinations and MDO-capable, platform agnostic, scalable sensor programs that will provide for technical insertion into Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), medium altitude manned systems, and unmanned stratospheric A-ISR systems. These capabilities are enabled by emerging Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) processing and automated target recognition, autonomous sensor cross-cueing, sensor data correlation and resilient Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) compliant communications which shorten the sensor to shooter kill chain. PE 0604036A / Project DD6 is the Army's first Program of Record (PoR) in the MDSS family of systems. HADES provides advanced aerial intelligence sensing capabilities for MDO against peer and near-peer adversaries, addressing Army deep sensing needs in all phases of operations and throughout the depth of the future battlefield. Highly mobile, long endurance converged deep sensing through the collection of Communications Intelligence (COMINT), Electronics Intelligence (ELINT), and Synthetic Aperture Radar/Moving Target Indicator (SAR/MTI) data. Subsequent increment upgrades can host Electronic Warfare (EW), RF-enabled Cyber, and Launched Effects (LE). Platform performance and a modular system open architecture (MOSA) increases flexibility in meeting emerging threats along with global deployment within hours vs. days/weeks. Fiscal Year 2025 base dollars in the amount of $239.135 million, justified on R-2A for Project DD6 of PE 0604036A, supports the system level prototyping of the HADES system. Funds support the acquisition of the HADES prototype aircraft and payloads and begin Non-Recurring Engineering (NRE) and design of both the aircraft and the payload for future integration and testing of the system. The total cost of the HADES Middle Tier of Acquisition (MTA) effort is $540.4 million RDT&E from FY24 to FY27. The remainder of the HADES MTA is fully funded across the Future Years Defense Program. .

Document Details

• Document Type: R2 Budgetary Justification
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2025
• Source ID: 0604036A_4_2040_PB_2025
• Change Summary Explanation: Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 decrease results in a reduced investment in aircraft spares for the HADES program.
• Service Agency Name: Army

Entities

Organizations

• United States Army

Tags

Fields of Study

• Computer science

Readers

• Enterprise Information Systems Architecture and Joint Command Capability Interoperability Support.
• Military Science and Technology Research and Modernization.
• Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Autonomous Capabilities and Mission Reconnaissance.

Technology Areas

• AI & ML
• AI & ML - Autonomous Systems
• AI & ML - DoD AI Strategy
• Autonomy
• Autonomy - UAVs
• Cyber
• Cyber - Quantum
• Fully Networked C3
• Fully Networked C3 - Command and Control
• Microelectronics
• Microelectronics - Microelectromechanical Systems
• Space
• Space - Space Objects