Space Technology Development and Prototyping
Abstract
SDA is responsible for developing and demonstrating the next generation proliferated warfighter space architecture to enable U.S. military operations to be responsive to emerging multi-domain threats against our national security. To achieve that goal, SDA will help inform the Department of Defense (DoD)'s decision to develop and implement a proliferated architecture enabled by lower-cost, mass-produced space vehicles and routine space access; and shift the DoD to a development organization focused on experimentation, prototyping, and accelerated fielding. SDA will manage, direct, and execute the development of the space capabilities for the joint warfighter in accordance with DoD's Space Vision and field space capabilities at speed and scale, with the following goals: • Bold breakthroughs designed to out-pace our competitors, • Mission-focused technology maturation and systems engineering, • Value-based lean engineering, manufacturing, and support, • Warfighter-centric capability development enabling joint all-domain operations, • Industrial base expansion; streamlined development and acquisition processes, and • Increased acquisition cooperation across the space enterprise. SDA will rapidly deploy critical elements of next-generation space capabilities, initially focusing on these essential capabilities: • Indications, warnings, targeting, and tracking for defense against hypersonic and advanced missile threats, • Alternate position, navigation, and timing (APNT) for a navigation warfare (NAVWAR) resilient environment, • Responsive, resilient, common ground-based space support infrastructure (e.g., optical and RF ground stations and commercially-oriented satellite operations centers), • Cross-domain, networked, node-independent battle management command, control, and communications (BMC3), and • Highly-scaled, low-latency, persistent, resilient proliferated Low Earth Orbit (LEO) space data transport. The establishment of a proliferated data Transport Layer in LEO is essential to developing a new, responsive space architecture, and will be SDA's primary initial focus within the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA). SDA will develop an initial set of adjunct and sub-constellations in conjunction with this Transport Layer to provide additional capabilities, such as advanced missile warning and tactical satellite communications. This program element funds efforts to develop and demonstrate a prototype proliferated Low Earth Orbit (pLEO) communications and data Transport Layer and its sub-constellations in support of the DoD Space Vision. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses and contractor support required to facilitate delivery of the Transport capability. The total cost of the Tranche 1 (T1) Transport Layer Middle Tier of Acquisition effort is $2,977.300 million, including RDT&E and procurement of prototype units. The T1 Transport Layer RP program is fully funded across the Future Years Defense Program. The total cost of the Tranche 2 (T2) Transport Layer Middle Tier of Acquisition effort is $5,250.700 million, including RDT&E and procurement of prototype units. The T2 Transport Layer RP program is fully funded across the Future Years Defense Program. This effort is in Budget Activity 4, Advanced Component Development and Prototypes (ACD&P), because efforts are necessary to evaluate integrated technologies, representative modes or prototype systems in a high fidelity and realistic operating environment.
Document Details
- Document Type
- R2 Budgetary Justification
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2025
- Source ID
- 1206410SF_4_3620F_PB_2025
- Change Summary Explanation
- FY 2023 decreases between the Previous President's Budget and Current President's Budget by $36.458 million due to reallocations for SBIR/STTR projects. FY 2025 increases between the Previous President's Budget and Current President's Budget due to the addition of a classified project, adjustments for inflation, and adjustments for other United States Space Force priorities. FY 2025 decreases from FY 2024 due to Tranche 1 completing satellite development and production.
- Service Agency Name
- Air Force
Entities
Organizations
- United States Air Force
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