Long Range Fires

The PE 0605516N: (U)LONG RANGE FIRES program is a Navy Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) budget line focused on advancing the Navy's long-range fires capabilities. The overarching goal of this program element is to develop, integrate, and demonstrate advanced systems that enable the Navy to deliver precision effects at extended ranges, supporting both sea and land operations. This program is structured to address emerging threats and maintain technological superiority in contested environments. All details are classified and submitted to Congress in the classified budget justification books.

All Domain Long Range Naval Integrated Fire Control (LR-NIFC) is one of the key projects under this program element. The primary objective is to develop and integrate advanced fire control systems that enable the Navy to coordinate and execute long-range strikes across multiple domains. This includes enhancing the Navy's ability to detect, track, and engage targets at extended distances, leveraging networked sensors and weapons. The project aims to improve the speed, accuracy, and survivability of naval strike operations, ensuring that U.S. naval forces can respond effectively to evolving threats.

Common Weapon Datalink Radio is another significant initiative within PE 0605516N. The goal is to develop a standardized, secure, and resilient datalink radio system that can be used across a variety of Navy weapons platforms. By providing a common communications architecture, this effort seeks to enhance interoperability among different weapon systems and platforms, streamline integration efforts, and reduce lifecycle costs. The Common Weapon Datalink Radio will support real-time data exchange for targeting, engagement, and battle damage assessment, thereby improving the effectiveness and flexibility of long-range fires.

Beyond Line-of-Sight Engagement, Control, & Management is the third major project funded under this line item. This effort is focused on developing technologies and systems that enable the Navy to engage targets beyond the visual and radar horizon. The objective is to provide persistent, reliable command and control for long-range weapons, even in environments where traditional communications may be degraded or denied. This includes advancing capabilities for remote targeting, engagement authorization, and dynamic retargeting, all of which are critical for operating in highly contested or denied environments.

Each of these projects is justified by the need to maintain the U.S. Navy's operational advantage in long-range precision fires, particularly as potential adversaries invest in anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) capabilities. The integration of advanced fire control, communications, and engagement management technologies is intended to ensure that U.S. naval forces can operate effectively across all domains maritime, air, land, space, and cyber. The classified nature of these programs reflects their importance to national security and the sensitive technologies involved.

Funding for PE 0605516N in FY 2026 is allocated across these three projects. These investments support system development, demonstration, and integration activities, with contract awards planned for October 2025. The program is managed by the Navy, with specific performing activities and acquisition strategies detailed in classified annexes.