Items Under $5 Million (Comm & Elec)

The Air Operations C2 Systems program, detailed in Line Item 4640 of the FY 2026 Navy Procurement Budget, is designed to enhance the Marine Corps' command and control capabilities for air operations. This line item supports the acquisition, integration, and sustainment of multiple systems that collectively provide situational awareness, air battle management, and real-time data distribution for the Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) and joint operations.

The program's overarching objective is to ensure that Marine Corps air operations are equipped with modern, interoperable, and resilient command and control (C2) systems that can support both current and future operational requirements.

Remote Video Viewing Terminal (RVVT) is a key component of this line item, providing MAGTF units with the ability to receive, transmit, and exploit full motion video (FMV) and associated metadata from a wide range of manned and unmanned aircraft. RVVT utilizes Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) Video Down-Link products to deliver critical intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) data to forward-deployed teams. The primary goal of RVVT is to enhance situational awareness and targeting accuracy, support coordination of fires, and prevent fratricide by ensuring real-time video feeds are accessible to Forward Air Controllers, Fire Support Teams, and Reconnaissance elements. Funding for RVVT focuses on procurement of FMV components and product improvements to maintain and advance these capabilities.

Composite Tracking Network (CTN) is another major focus, aimed at distributing composite tracking data to C2 and weapon systems within the Navy's Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) network. CTN integrates sensor data from multiple sources to create a unified, real-time track picture for air and missile defense. The CTN program addresses the need for improved situational awareness and advanced engagement concepts, supporting integrated fire control and reducing fratricide. Funding supports completion of CTN system fielding, procurement of spares, and acquisition of upgraded antennas, signal data processors, and components for integration into fielded systems.

Air Battle Management (ABM) encompasses the Theater Battle Management Core Systems - Marine Corps (TBMCS-MC), which is the joint-mandated tool for air war planning, generation, dissemination, and execution of Air Tasking Orders (ATO) and Airspace Control Orders (ACO). TBMCS-MC is essential for mission planning, airspace deconfliction, and situational assessment within the Marine aviation combat element. The Marine Corps, in cooperation with the Air Force, sustains and improves TBMCS-MC software and hardware, ensuring cybersecurity compliance and interoperability with other services. Funding supports continued fielding of updated software and hardware, new equipment training, and preparations to host the next-generation Air Battle Plan (ABP) system, aligning Marine Corps capabilities with evolving USAF, USN, and joint requirements.

Common Aviation Command and Control System (CAC2S) and Marine Air Command and Control System (MACCS) Service are also supported within this line item, though funding is primarily directed toward sustaining previously fielded capabilities. CAC2S provides a modular, scalable C2 architecture for aviation operations, while MACCS Service encompasses the broader suite of command and control functions for Marine aviation. Prior years' investments have established these systems as foundational elements of Marine Corps air C2, and current objectives focus on maintaining operational relevance and interoperability through technical refreshes and integration with newer systems such as CTN and TBMCS-MC.