Combat Survivor Evader Locater

The Combat Survivor Evader Locator (CSEL) program is a Department of Defense (DoD) initiative managed by the Air Force, with joint participation from the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps. The primary objective of the CSEL program is to provide aircrews and isolated personnel with a secure, global, end-to-end emergency communication capability during both combat and peacetime operations. The system is designed to enhance the survivability and recovery of personnel by enabling rapid and reliable communication with rescue forces through a handheld radio device that is part of the mandatory aircrew survival gear.

The CSEL system supports four of the five Personnel Recovery Mission Phases: Report, Locate, Support, and Recover. Its core functionality allows isolated personnel to securely transmit their location and status to command and recovery elements, thereby improving the likelihood and speed of successful recovery operations. The system leverages global satellite communications and secure data links, ensuring robust and resilient connectivity even in contested or denied environments.

For Fiscal Year (FY) 2025, the budget line item 837170 allocates funding for the CSEL program under the Air Force's Other Procurement appropriation, specifically within the Electronics and Telecommunications Equipment budget activity. This funding is directed towards non-recurring software costs, including updates and enhancements to the Terminal Area Guidance Waveform, which is a critical component for ensuring precise and secure communications during personnel recovery missions.

The CSEL program is justified by its role as the DoD's program of record for personnel recovery survival radios, supporting joint service requirements and interoperability. The system addresses the need for a standardized, reliable, and secure communication solution for isolated personnel across all military branches. Its continued development and sustainment are essential for maintaining operational readiness and ensuring that U.S. forces have the necessary tools to execute personnel recovery missions effectively.

In FY 2026, the budget justification notes that efforts previously funded under this line item were transferred to Program Element 0207279F, Isolated Personnel Survivability and Recovery, Project 65412B. This transfer was made to align with higher Air Force priorities and to consolidate related personnel recovery capabilities under a unified program structure. As a result, no new procurement funding is requested for CSEL under line item 837170 for FY 2026 and beyond.

The CSEL system's ongoing objectives include maintaining software currency, addressing emerging threats to secure communications, and ensuring compatibility with evolving satellite and ground-based infrastructure. The program also emphasizes interoperability with joint and coalition forces, supporting the broader DoD goal of integrated and resilient personnel recovery operations worldwide.