Air/Ocean Tactical Applications

The Air/Ocean Tactical Applications (AOTA) Program Element (PE 0603207N) is a Navy research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) initiative focused on advancing meteorological and oceanographic (METOC) capabilities to provide warfighters with a decisive operational advantage. The program's overarching goal is to sense, characterize, and predict the maritime environment, especially in littoral and deep-strike battlespaces, by leveraging state-of-the-art sensors, computational infrastructure, and data assimilation techniques. The AOTA program supports the Navy's maritime strategy by transitioning new technologies into operational systems. This enhances real-time and near-real-time understanding of environmental effects on combat forces, platforms, sensors, and munitions.

METOC Data Acquisition (2341) aimed to develop, demonstrate, and validate advanced sensor technologies and methodologies for collecting environmental data across the battlespace. The project's objectives included rapid and automated acquisition of METOC data using both on-board and off-board sensors, providing real-time assessments to tactical commanders, and integrating new charting and bathymetric survey techniques. In FY2026, funding and activities from this line were consolidated into the METOC Data Collection, Dissemination, and Decision Support project (3405) to streamline program management and align with updated operational mission needs.

METOC Data Assimilation and Modeling (2342) focuses on assimilating environmental data into high-resolution prediction models using high-performance computing. The goal is to enable full characterization of the battlespace environment in both real-time and forecasting modes, which is critical for optimizing the performance of increasingly sophisticated weapons and sensors. Key objectives include maturing global and regional environmental prediction models, enhancing data assimilation systems, and developing unified aerosol forecasting capabilities. These efforts support operational planning, communications, and undersea sensor performance predictions, particularly in challenging littoral environments.

Precise Time and Astrometry (2344) supports the U.S. Naval Observatory's mission to provide precise timing, earth orientation, and celestial reference data for the Department of Defense (DoD) and national infrastructure. The project's objectives include developing improved GPS timing receivers, advancing optical clock technology, enhancing time transfer methods, and improving earth orientation and celestial reference frame determination. These capabilities are foundational for navigation, guidance, targeting, and secure communications across DoD systems. Ongoing research includes cislunar navigation and next-generation timing standards.

Fleet Synthetic Training (3207) develops and integrates software and networked systems for realistic, in-port training of naval forces. The program's objectives are to simulate ocean and atmospheric environments for training scenarios, integrate Information Warfare (IW) capabilities into Live, Virtual, and Constructive (LVC) training, and ensure interoperability with joint and coalition partners. This supports readiness by enabling units and strike groups to train against realistic threats, develop tactics, and rehearse missions in secure, controlled environments.

Tactical Environmental Support (3404) provided decision support tools and software that leverage METOC data to inform warfighting applications. The project's objectives included integrating environmental data into tactical aids for undersea, anti-submarine, mine, amphibious, and other warfare domains. These tools help commanders exploit environmental conditions to optimize platform, sensor, and weapon system performance. In FY2026, these efforts were consolidated into project 3405.

METOC Data Collection, Dissemination, and Decision Support (3405) is now the consolidated project for METOC data acquisition, tactical environmental support, and decision aid development. Its objectives are to provide warfighters with timely, optimized environmental data for situational awareness, battle management, and decision support, even in denied communications environments. The project develops and validates sensor technologies, data compression and transmission methods, and integrates advanced environmental models into tactical decision aids. These efforts ensure that naval forces can assess and exploit the physical environment to maintain operational superiority.

Congressional Adds (9999) in recent years have focused on the development and demonstration of autonomous dual-modality surface and sub-surface vehicles. These vehicles are intended to provide long-endurance, multi-domain intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities, with funding supporting procurement, payload integration, testing, and concept of operations development.