Radio Equipment

The LI 837190 - Radio Equipment line item in the Air Force's FY 2026 budget is designed to modernize and sustain critical communications infrastructure across multiple mission areas. This line item supports procurement activities under the Other Procurement, Air Force appropriation, specifically within the Electronics and Telecommunications Equipment budget activity. The overarching goal is to ensure resilient, secure, and interoperable communications capabilities for strategic, operational, and tactical missions, with particular emphasis on high-frequency (HF) systems, tactical terminals, and atmospheric early warning systems.

A major component of this line item is the High Frequency Global Communications System (HFGCS), which provides the Department of Defense (DoD) with a global, high-power HF network essential for nuclear and non-nuclear command and control (NC3/C2). The system serves a broad user base, including US Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM), Air Mobility Command, the White House Communications Agency, Navy submarine forces, and other federal agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA.

FY 2026 funding focuses on modernizing the radio and network infrastructure, replacing aging antenna systems at multiple ground and network control stations, and upgrading key components like the Unified Capabilities/Audio Communications Functionality (UC/ACF) switch and high-power amplifiers (HPAs). These upgrades aim to mitigate obsolescence, enhance cybersecurity, and ensure continued operational viability in contested environments.

The HFGCS modernization effort includes six lines of effort: improving Arctic command and control, implementing robust HF waveforms across the DoD, supporting Air Force-specific HF modernization, integrating Air Operations Center HF requirements, advancing Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) HF strategy for the INDOPACOM area of responsibility, and executing NC3 HF modernization. Funding also covers direct mission support, system engineering, interoperability testing, and acquisition of critical protection items. The antenna replacement program prioritizes sites based on operational need and addresses material shortages and obsolescence for components that have degraded after decades of service.

Tactical Terminal (TT) funding supports the procurement and integration of Integrated Broadcast Service (IBS)-compatible terminals, which provide Air Force warfighters with strategic, operational, and tactical intelligence and threat warning information. The program includes both transmit/receive and receive-only solutions for airborne and ground weapon systems. FY 2026 efforts focus on acquiring security-upgraded terminals with the latest software, employing a phased acquisition strategy, and integrating them with corresponding weapon systems. Annual reviews ensure inventory levels remain aligned with evolving operational requirements.

Atmospheric Early Warning System (AEWS) funding supports the integration of sensors and radios for key Homeland Defense missions. The program addresses the obsolescence of current HF radios on Air Force aircraft and ground nodes, which are critical for Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) communications a capability vital to NORAD's enduring mission requirements. Funding is allocated for equipment and infrastructure to enable new satellite communications waveform interoperability and to field Link-22 capable radios, facilitating the transition from the legacy Link-11 tactical data link.

Across all subprograms, the budget line item includes costs for program management, engineering, cybersecurity initiatives, operational testing, and technical interchanges. Advisory and assistance services are funded to promote efficiencies and align with government-wide cost efficiency initiatives. The procurement strategy leverages commercially available technology and phased acquisition to address diminishing manufacturing sources, material shortages, and mandated cybersecurity requirements, ensuring long-term sustainability and resilience of the Air Force's communications infrastructure.