RETRACT LARCH

The Retract Larch program, managed by the Office of the Secretary of Defense under Program Element PE 0603527D8Z, is a Special Access Program (SAP) focused on advanced technology development within the Department of Defense's Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) budget. The program is classified, and its specific goals and objectives are not publicly disclosed due to security considerations. It is reported annually to Congress in accordance with Title 10, United States Code, Section 119(a)(1), ensuring legislative oversight of its activities and expenditures.

The primary objective of this line item is to support research, development, and testing of technologies that are considered critical to national security. The program falls under Budget Activity 3, which is dedicated to Advanced Technology Development (ATD). This activity typically encompasses efforts that mature and demonstrate technologies before they transition to full-scale development or procurement. The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)), specifically the Deputy Chief Technology Officer for Science and Technology (DCTO(S&T)), is responsible for program oversight and coordination.

For Fiscal Year 2024, the program received funding, with prior years' funding also provided. There are no planned allocations for Fiscal Years 2025 and 2026, indicating that the program's major activities are either concluding or transitioning to another phase. The absence of future funding suggests that the objectives for this line item may have been met or that the program is being restructured or integrated into other classified efforts.

Budget adjustments for FY 2024 included a reduction, primarily due to transfers to the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, as well as minor reprogrammings and cancelled accounts. These adjustments reflect standard budgetary practices to ensure compliance with congressional mandates and to support innovation through small business participation in defense research.

As a Special Access Program, Retract Larch is subject to heightened security and restricted access. Details regarding its accomplishments, planned activities, and acquisition strategy are not available in public documentation. The classified nature of the program underscores its importance to defense priorities and the need to protect sensitive information that could impact operational security or technological advantage.

While the specific technologies or capabilities under development within Retract Larch are not disclosed, the program's inclusion in the Advanced Technology Development budget activity suggests a focus on maturing high-risk, high-reward innovations. These could include areas such as advanced sensors, communications, cyber capabilities, or other emerging technologies that support strategic defense objectives.