Foreign Materiel Acquisition and Exploitation

The Foreign Materiel Acquisition and Exploitation (FMA&E) program, as outlined in Program Element (PE) 0605117F, is managed by the Air Force under the Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) appropriation, specifically within Budget Activity 7: Operational Systems Development. The primary goal of this program is to support the military services and defense agencies in acquiring and exploiting foreign materiel, particularly weapon systems and technologies, to enhance U.S. defense capabilities. This involves systematic acquisition, analysis, and exploitation of foreign military hardware and systems to inform upgrades, countermeasures, and future development for U.S. operational systems.

The objectives of the FMA&E program are both broad and specific. At a high level, the program seeks to identify, acquire, and analyze foreign weapon systems and technologies that may pose a threat or offer insight into adversary capabilities. The exploitation process includes technical evaluation, reverse engineering, and operational testing to determine vulnerabilities, performance characteristics, and potential countermeasures. This information is then used to inform U.S. system upgrades, doctrine, and procurement strategies, ensuring technological superiority and operational readiness.

The central component of PE 0605117F includes funding allocated for both acquisition and exploitation activities. These funds support the execution of the Foreign Materiel Program (FMP) Plan, which is updated and executed annually. The program includes quarterly reviews of acquisition and exploitation opportunities, allowing for reprioritization based on emerging threats or intelligence. The FMP Plan is developed through a collaborative process where requirements and funding requests are submitted, validated, and prioritized by the military services and agencies.

In addition to direct program funding, the FMA&E program covers necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver weapon system capability. These expenses are in addition to those budgeted in related program elements, ensuring adequate staffing and oversight for the complex acquisition and exploitation processes. The SAF/CDM Salary and Travel Allot line item supports administrative and operational costs associated with program management, primarily based in Fairfax, VA.

The program's schedule is structured around annual cycles, with each fiscal year involving the submission, validation, and approval of requirements and funding requests, followed by execution and quarterly reviews. The process is designed to be responsive, with ad-hoc reviews and reprioritization occurring as needed to address urgent or unexpected acquisition and exploitation opportunities. This ensures that the program remains agile and can adapt to evolving intelligence and operational needs.

Funding for the FMA&E activity under PE 0605117F is scheduled to be transferred to an alternate program element beginning in FY 2026 and beyond. This transition reflects broader Department of Defense initiatives for government efficiency and cost management, as well as classified adjustments detailed in the OSD Comptroller's Defense-Wide Justification Book. The program's activities will continue under the new program element, maintaining continuity of mission and objectives.