Offensive small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS)

The Offensive small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) program is a new initiative under the Air Force's Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) Management Support budget. The primary goal of this program is to address capability gaps in the Air Force's ability to rapidly generate and deploy a family of small unmanned aircraft systems capable of executing missions in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), electronic warfare, and precision strike. These capabilities are intended to be effective across permissive, contested, and denied operational environments, supporting the broader Air Force UAS Strategy.

The objectives of the Offensive sUAS effort include operationalizing the Air Force's UAS strategy by developing and fielding emerging systems that are categorized as exquisite, attritable, and expendable platforms. These platforms are designed for collaborative operations, allowing for flexible and scalable mission sets depending on the threat environment. The program seeks to accelerate the transition of technology from research and development into operational use, ensuring that the Air Force remains responsive to rapidly evolving threats and mission requirements.

A significant portion of the funding for FY 2026 is allocated to system development and program support. This includes activities such as planning, releasing requests for proposals, awarding contracts, and initiating agile software development to integrate aircraft configurations with offensive sUAS capabilities. The program is structured to allow the acquisition program manager the authority to redirect funding as necessary, enabling quick adaptation to emerging operational needs and critical equipment requirements.

The innovation activities supported by this line item encompass studies, analyses, requirements definition, intelligence and data management, and rapid prototyping and demonstration of quick-reaction capabilities. These activities are intended to accelerate the planning for technology transition and insertion, as well as future acquisition programs. The program also leverages mechanisms such as the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs to foster innovation and engage with industry partners, particularly small businesses.

Civilian pay expenses are included in the program to support the management, execution, and delivery of weapon system capabilities. These expenses supplement the civilian pay budgets of related program elements and ensure that the necessary personnel resources are available to oversee and implement the program's objectives effectively.

The acquisition strategy for the Offensive sUAS program is to utilize the Middle Tier Acquisition (MTA) pathway, which is designed to expedite the development and fielding of new capabilities. This approach is guided by the Rapid Prototyping Requirements Document, allowing for faster prototyping, testing, and transition to operational use compared to traditional acquisition processes. The MTA pathway supports the program's emphasis on agility and responsiveness to changing operational demands.