Isolated Personnel Survivability and Recovery

The Isolated Personnel Survivability and Recovery program is a Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) initiative managed by the U.S. Air Force under Budget Activity 5: System Development and Demonstration (SDD). Its goal is to enhance the survivability and recovery prospects of Air Force and Joint Service personnel who become isolated in hostile or denied environments. The program includes two main projects: Isolated Personnel Survival and Flight Equipment (IPSAFE) and Next Generation Survival Radio (NGSR) development, each addressing critical aspects of personnel recovery and survivability.

The Isolated Personnel Survival and Flight Equipment (IPSAFE) project is a new effort focused on developing, testing, and fielding advanced aircrew survival equipment. The objective is to provide climate-specific and biome-adapted gear such as seat survival kits, single-seat life rafts, and signaling devices to support evasion, resistance, escape, and signaling for isolated personnel. In FY 2026, IPSAFE will conduct market research, vendor analysis, and material solutions analysis to identify and evaluate promising technologies and products. Managed by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center's Human Systems Division at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, IPSAFE aims to inform future acquisition decisions by thoroughly assessing available solutions and their operational effectiveness.

The Combat Search and Rescue Engineering and Manufacturing Development (CSAR EMD) project centers on the development of the Next Generation Survival Radio (NGSR). The NGSR program is an Air Force-led, joint service effort to replace the aging Combat Survivor Evader Locator (CSEL) handheld radio, which is currently the primary communications tool for isolated personnel across the Department of Defense. NGSR's objectives include delivering secure, over-the-horizon, two-way data communications, precise geo-positioning, and robust anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) capabilities. The radio will feature modern encryption compliant with National Security Agency (NSA) standards, ensuring secure authentication and communication with rescue forces.

The NGSR project involves a competitive rapid prototyping phase, followed by integration and testing of the handheld radio and its supporting systems. Key FY 2026 goals include finalizing the handheld radio prototype, completing NSA certification, integrating national encryption assets, and developing support equipment such as portable interrogators and radio loaders. The program also includes modernization of the Joint Personnel Recovery Center software, transitioning its web application and cloud infrastructure to secure environments to support mission requirements.

In addition to hardware development, the NGSR program is advancing software and waveform upgrades, including the Mobile User Objective System ground station and low probability of intercept/detection communication pathways. These upgrades are designed to operate effectively in contested environments and to provide resilient communications for personnel recovery missions. The program leverages Other Transaction Authority contracts, with General Dynamics selected as the primary prototype vendor, and is scheduled to transition from rapid prototyping to rapid fielding in mid-2026.

Both IPSAFE and NGSR projects are supported by a mix of government and industry partners, with funding allocated for product development, testing, integration, and program management. The FY 2026 budget reflects an increase to accelerate development, integration, and fielding activities. Civilian pay expenses are also included to support program execution.

The Isolated Personnel Survivability and Recovery program is justified by the need to ensure the safety and recovery of U.S. aircrew and special operations personnel in increasingly complex operational environments. By investing in advanced survival equipment and secure communication technologies, the Air Force aims to improve personnel recovery outcomes, enhance joint force readiness, and maintain technological superiority in personnel recovery operations.