Combat Rescue - Pararescue

The Combat Rescue Pararescue program, as outlined in Program Element (PE) 0207227F, is a Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) initiative under the Air Force's Operational Systems Development budget activity. Its primary goal is to enhance the Guardian Angel (GA) Family of Systems (FoS), which supports Air Force Personnel Recovery (PR) missions across a broad range of military operations. The program is designed to maintain and modernize legacy weapon system capabilities while integrating new technologies and subsystems to improve mission effectiveness for Pararescuemen (PJ), Combat Rescue Officers (CRO), and Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape (SERE) specialists.

The Guardian Angel RDT&E line item focuses on developing and standardizing equipment and capabilities for the Guardian Angel weapon system. Objectives include improving operational capability in nine mission areas: Precision Aerial Insertion, Information Management, Force Application, Visual Augmentation, Maritime Recovery, Ground Mobility, Technical Rescue, Medical, and SERE. Efforts are directed toward technology demonstrations, prototyping, and engineering support to enable rapid technology insertion and future acquisition planning. These activities are coordinated with the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) to ensure alignment with ongoing RDT&E efforts and best practices.

A key objective of the program is to support the Secretary of the Air Force's Operational Imperatives, particularly in the areas of command and control (C2), logistics mobility (land/water), and resilient basing for Agile Combat Employment. Funding is allocated for studies, strategic planning, software upgrades to the Special Warfare Assault Kit (SWAK) information management system, and developmental testing. The program incorporates feedback from users and test results to iteratively enhance system capabilities and human systems integration, ensuring that equipment remains relevant and effective in evolving operational contexts.

Modernization efforts emphasize reducing the size, weight, and power (SWAP) of mission equipment, which is critical for dismounted Guardian Angel operators. Standardization of equipment across units is pursued to minimize the logistics footprint and improve interoperability and training. Solutions for diminishing manufacturing sources (DMS) and obsolescence are also funded, including potential life-of-type or bridge buys to maintain program continuity. Civilian pay expenses necessary for program management and execution are included, supplementing other Air Force program elements as required.

Planned activities for FY 2025 include continued studies and development, ongoing software upgrades to the SWAK system, and testing aligned with SECAF and OSD priorities. System enhancements will be made based on test feedback and user input, and coordination with AFRL will be maintained. The FY 2026 plan continues these efforts, with funding transitioning to a new project (BA 07 Project 0207457F) beginning that year. The increase in funding from FY 2025 to FY 2026 is attributed to additional software development and testing requirements for the SWAK system.

Other related budget lines include OPAF 04 Line Item 842990, which funds safety-related equipment, and OPAF 02 Line Item 823230, which supports vehicle procurement for security and tactical operations. These lines complement the Guardian Angel RDT&E efforts by ensuring that necessary equipment and vehicles are available to support personnel recovery missions.

The acquisition strategy for the Guardian Angel program prioritizes capability improvements over legacy equipment, force-wide standardization, interoperability, and reduced SWAP for mission equipment. Common solutions are developed and procured across Special Warfare programs to reduce costs and enhance interoperability. The Combat Rescue Pararescue program aims to deliver enhanced, standardized, and modernized capabilities to Air Force personnel engaged in combat search and rescue and personnel recovery, ensuring readiness and effectiveness in current and future operational environments.