BIOMETRIC TACTICAL COLLECTION DEVICES

The Biometric Tactical Collection Devices program, as outlined in Army budget line item 9988BK5300, is focused on the procurement, testing, fielding, and sustainment of advanced biometric collection devices to support Army force protection and identity intelligence operations. The primary objective of this program is to enable the Army to accurately collect, submit, and match biometric data including face, fingerprint, iris, and voice modalities using modern, software-based solutions that leverage commercial technology. This capability is essential for identifying combatants, managing enemy prisoners of war, and accounting for detainees, displaced persons, and refugees during large-scale combat operations.

The core goal of this line item is to replace the aging Biometric Automated Toolset-Army (BAT-A) system, which is approaching obsolescence, with the Next Generation Biometric Collection Capability (NXGBCC). The NXGBCC is designed to provide a more robust, flexible, and interoperable solution that meets current and anticipated operational requirements. By adopting commercial off-the-shelf technologies, the Army aims to ensure that its biometric collection devices remain technologically current and cost-effective. This approach also enhances interoperability with joint and coalition forces.

The NXGBCC will support a wide range of Army missions by providing tactical units with the ability to rapidly and accurately verify identities in the field. This supports both force protection and intelligence activities, such as screening individuals at checkpoints, managing detainee operations, and supporting counterintelligence and human intelligence missions. The program also aims to improve data sharing and integration with larger Department of Defense and interagency biometric databases.

In FY 2025, the Army consolidated several related programs under the new Collection Capability program. Specifically, the CI/HUMINT Equipment Program-Army and the Biometric Automated Toolset-Army were merged into this broader collection capability initiative. This consolidation is intended to streamline procurement, reduce redundancy, and ensure that all collection devices are interoperable and meet unified Army requirements. Funding for FY 2026 and beyond has been realigned to the Collection Capability program in accordance with this consolidation effort.

The justification for this budget line emphasizes the critical role of biometric collection devices in supporting Army operations across the full spectrum of conflict. These devices enable commanders to make informed decisions about individuals encountered on the battlefield, enhance situational awareness, and support compliance with international laws regarding detainee and refugee management. The program is also justified by the need to replace obsolete equipment and to maintain technological superiority in the rapidly evolving field of biometrics.

Procurement quantities and funding levels reflect the Army's phased approach to fielding these devices, with initial procurement focused on equipping priority units and subsequent buys planned as part of the consolidated Collection Capability program. The Army's approach is to ensure that fielded devices are sustainable, supportable, and compatible with future upgrades as biometric technologies continue to advance.