Radiological and Nuclear Defense Modernization Operational System Development

The Radiological and Nuclear Defense Modernization Operational System Development program, managed under Program Element (PE) 0607757D8Z by the Office of the Secretary of Defense, is dedicated to advancing the Department of Defense's (DoD) radiological and nuclear (R/N) defense capabilities. The primary goal of this program is to modernize detection, identification, and response systems to prevent and mitigate R/N threats against the homeland and deployed Joint Forces. This effort directly supports the Department's strategic priorities to rebuild military readiness and reestablish deterrence, aligning with the Interim National Defense Strategy and the Department's Strategic Management Plan for FY2022-2026.

The program is executed through the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment (OUSD(A&S)). Its objective is to field modernized R/N detection capabilities that enable the Joint Force to operate effectively in contaminated environments. By enhancing resilience and survivability, the program aims to deny adversaries any perceived advantage in employing nuclear or radiological weapons, both domestically and abroad. This is achieved through the development and integration of advanced, networked R/N detection, indication, and identification systems, as well as the modernization of legacy equipment.

A key focus of the program is to close capability gaps identified by the Joint Force and the National Guard Bureau. The funding line is the only Budget Activity 7 (BA-7) resource in the Department specifically dedicated to operational system development for R/N defense modernization. The program uses an annual investment strategy to address emergent operational needs, with the goal of fielding new capabilities within one to three years. Investments are prioritized for projects that provide interoperable and common solutions across the Military Services, Combatant Commands, and Defense Agencies.

In Fiscal Year 2026, the program will support the modernization of several critical systems. These include systems designed to improve the identification of radioactive materials, enhance the detection and monitoring of radiological threats, and provide advanced analytical tools for interpreting gamma radiation data. Each of these systems is being updated to meet current and emerging operational requirements, with an emphasis on networkability and integration into secure command and control architectures.

The program also invests in vehicle-integrated radiation detection systems, which are being ruggedized for deployment in FY 2026. Additionally, funding supports the development and evaluation of Army mobile radiation sensors, as well as specialized R/N detectors for use in GPS-denied environments. These efforts are intended to ensure that the Joint Force can detect, identify, and respond to R/N threats in a wide range of operational scenarios, including those where traditional navigation and communication systems may be degraded or denied.

Beyond hardware and software modernization, the program funds operational test and evaluation, field and tabletop exercises, and research studies to identify and address both materiel and non-materiel gaps in R/N defense. These activities are conducted in partnership with government agencies, private contractors, and research institutions, ensuring that new capabilities are validated and transitioned effectively to end users. The program also seeks to merge previous research, development, and acquisition efforts to streamline fielding of interoperable solutions across the Joint Force and National Guard Bureau.