Joint Communications Support Element (JCSE)

The ASW Range Support program is a Navy procurement initiative under Weapons Procurement, Navy, focused on Torpedoes and Related Equipment. The primary goal of this line item is to provide and maintain test and training tracking equipment for Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) ranges located both within the Contiguous United States (CONUS) and Outside Contiguous United States (OCONUS). These assets are essential for ground truth tracking during fleet training exercises and torpedo firings. They support the reconstruction and analysis necessary for Undersea Warfare (USW) proficiency assessment, as well as test, evaluation, and analysis activities.

The program funds infrastructure and equipment for several key Navy range complexes, including the Southern California Offshore Range, Barking Sands Tactical Underwater Range/Barking Sands Underwater Range Extension, Pacific Northwest Range Complex, Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center, Portable Offshore Training Range, and Portable Undersea Training Range. These ranges support both fixed and portable capabilities, which are critical for Forward Deployed Naval Forces training requirements and operational readiness.

One major component of this line item focuses on the procurement, installation, and modernization of underwater tracking range equipment. The Underwater Tracking Range Equipment program provides pinger systems used to track Navy undersea fleet training and test and evaluation exercises. These systems ensure safe operation and movement of underwater vehicles and weapons. Funding supports both production engineering and product improvement efforts to keep the tracking instrumentation current and effective for Navy readiness training.

Another component funds the procurement and modernization of stationary target systems, specifically equipment used for Service Weapon Target Tests. This equipment is the only test available to the Navy to verify the explosive train of lightweight and heavyweight torpedoes, ensuring the reliability of torpedo warheads. The line item supports the acquisition and upgrading of these systems, which are essential for conducting service weapons tests on in-service and advanced war-shot torpedoes.

Production engineering and product improvement activities related to underwater tracking range equipment have been consolidated into a single funding line starting in FY26 to streamline program management and comply with Navy audit readiness requirements. This consolidation is part of a broader programmatic realignment intended to address obsolescence issues with weapons and target pinger systems across all ASW ranges.

The FY2026 funding request for ASW Range Support reflects an increase from previous years, primarily due to the realignment of funds from another Navy procurement budget line item. This adjustment is designed to resolve obsolescence issues and ensure continued operational effectiveness of ASW range equipment. The program's objectives include sustaining and modernizing the Navy's underwater tracking and target testing capabilities, which are vital for maintaining fleet readiness and ensuring the effectiveness of undersea warfare systems.