Security and Investigative Activities

The Security and Investigative Activities program, designated as PE 0305128F in the Air Force's FY2026 Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) budget, is focused on advancing the Department of the Air Force's (DAF) capabilities in technical surveillance countermeasures (TSCM) and investigative technologies. The primary goal of this program is to develop, test, and deploy next-generation tools and systems that enable the Air Force to detect, counter, and neutralize law enforcement and counterintelligence threats, particularly those involving high-tech crimes and cyber activities. This program supports both operational and felony-level investigative activities and ensures that the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI) and other relevant agencies have access to state-of-the-art equipment and methodologies.

A key objective within this program is the ongoing development of Technical Surveillance Countermeasures (TSCM) capabilities. TSCM efforts are aimed at identifying and mitigating threats posed by unauthorized surveillance, cyber intrusions, and exploitation of digital media, mobile communications, and audio/visual data. The program funds research and iterative development of restricted law enforcement and counterintelligence tools, ensuring that the Air Force can keep pace with increasingly sophisticated adversaries targeting DAF assets. The National Research Laboratory (NRL) in Washington, DC, is a primary performer for TSCM research and development, with funding allocated for continued advancements in FY2024, FY2025, and FY2026.

In FY2026, the program's scope was expanded to include the Law Enforcement Evidence Data Repository (LEEDR) initiative, which transferred from PE 31113F to PE 35128F. LEEDR, based at Fort Eisenhower, GA, is designed to provide secure, scalable digital evidence storage and management capabilities for law enforcement and counterintelligence operations. The objectives for LEEDR include improving the handling, integration, and analysis of digital files, audio/visual evidence, and data communications, thereby enhancing investigative effectiveness and chain-of-custody integrity. Contracted activities for LEEDR in FY2026 include evidence storage systems, digital file storage, data management, and A/V management software, with significant investments planned to support these capabilities.

The Tech Surveil Counter Meas Eqpt (Project 671931) line item details the specific research, development, and integration efforts under the program. In FY2026, funding is allocated for product development activities such as evidence storage systems, digital file storage, data management, data integration, and A/V management software. These efforts are supported by market research and acquisition strategies coordinated with partner DoD and USG entities to ensure the most effective and interoperable solutions are pursued.

Support activities under this project include TSCM research and development, integration, and data synthesis, with contracts awarded to organizations such as MRP (Alexandria, VA) and Virtualitics (Pasadena, CA). These support efforts are essential for the iterative development and operationalization of advanced investigative tools and countermeasures. The program also includes testing and evaluation phases, such as the completion of Phase IX TSCM LASER Project and ongoing advanced tool development through 2030, ensuring continuous improvement and adaptation to emerging threats.

The program justification emphasizes the necessity of maintaining cutting-edge capabilities to counter increasingly sophisticated threats targeting Air Force equities. The technologies developed are unique and complex, requiring continuous updates and integration with evolving digital and cyber environments. Civilian pay expenses for program management and execution may be included as needed, supplementing other related program elements, though no such expenses are forecasted for FY2024 or FY2025 within this element.