Operational Enhancements Intelligence

The Operational Enhancements Intelligence (OEI) program, managed by United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), is a procurement-focused line item within the Department of Defense's Military Intelligence Program. The primary goal of this program is to provide advanced intelligence capabilities and operational enhancements to support special operations forces (SOF) in complex and dynamic environments. The OEI line item is structured to enable the rapid acquisition and fielding of intelligence systems, tools, and technologies that directly contribute to the effectiveness and survivability of SOF missions worldwide.

The OEI program specifically aims to address the unique intelligence requirements of USSOCOM by procuring advanced sensors, data processing platforms, and analytical tools. These procurements are intended to enhance situational awareness, improve decision-making, and enable timely and accurate targeting in support of both kinetic and non-kinetic operations. The program's objectives are closely aligned with the need for SOF units to operate in contested, denied, or sensitive environments where traditional intelligence support may be limited or unavailable.

A key objective of the OEI line item is to ensure that SOF units have access to cutting-edge intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. This includes the acquisition of portable and rapidly deployable ISR systems, secure communications equipment, and advanced exploitation tools for processing and disseminating intelligence data. The program also supports the integration of these technologies into existing SOF platforms and networks. This approach ensures interoperability and seamless information sharing across the force.

The OEI budget line is justified by the evolving threat landscape and the increasing complexity of SOF missions. Adversaries are employing sophisticated countermeasures, electronic warfare, and deception tactics that require equally advanced intelligence solutions. By investing in operational enhancements, USSOCOM seeks to maintain a technological edge, reduce operational risk, and increase the probability of mission success. The program's procurement activities are prioritized based on operational feedback, emerging threats, and identified capability gaps within the SOF community.

For Fiscal Year 2026, the OEI program includes funding to procure and sustain intelligence systems that directly support ongoing and future SOF deployments. The budget request reflects a balance between sustaining current capabilities and investing in new technologies to address anticipated operational requirements.

The OEI line item is reported in accordance with Title 10, United States Code, Section 119(a)(1), and is included in the Special Access Program Congressional Budget Justification Book (CBJB) to Congress. This reporting ensures transparency and oversight of sensitive intelligence procurement activities, while also safeguarding classified details related to specific technologies and operational applications. The program does not include advance procurement or initial spares, focusing instead on direct acquisition and fielding of operationally relevant capabilities.