Space Superiority ISR

The Space Superiority ISR program, formally designated as Program Element (PE) 1203330SF, is a United States Air Force initiative under the Space Force's Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) budget. Its primary objective is to advance the intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities necessary to achieve and maintain space superiority. The program is structured to provide critical intelligence support for the full spectrum of space operations, including find, fix, track, target, engage, and assess (F2T2EA) functions, in direct support of Combatant Command (CCMD) requirements and Space Operations Command (SpOC) missions.

Within this program, the Space Superiority - Advanced Intelligence Systems line item (Project 67A051) is the principal focus, receiving all funding. This project is tasked with developing and delivering both fixed and mobile intelligence collection and processing capabilities, known as PCPAD (Planning and direction, Collection, Processing and exploitation, Analysis and production, Dissemination and integration). These efforts are designed to enhance Battlespace Awareness and Space Domain Awareness (SDA), ensuring timely and accurate intelligence for space control and superiority operations.

A key goal of the program is the modernization and digitization of ISR collection and processing architectures. In FY 2025 and FY 2026, the program is completing the development and delivery of seven mid-to-large aperture fixed collection systems for the 73 ISR Squadron at both OCONUS (overseas) and CONUS (domestic) sites. It is also initiating a three-year effort to modernize eight mid-sized apertures and refurbish large, multi-band antenna arrays to support Indo-Pacific Command (INDO-PACOM) requirements.

These upgrades are intended to increase collection capacity, data veracity, and enable automated operational control ( Sun Synchronous automation) across multiple areas of responsibility. The program also emphasizes the development of deployable ISR capabilities, including small form factor solutions for the 72 ISRS at Peterson Space Force Base, and deployable Tactical ISR Operations Cells (TISROCs) and Deployable ISR Support Cells (DISCs) to meet both service-retained and CCMD ISR needs.

These mobile assets are designed to provide flexible, rapid-response intelligence support in dynamic operational environments, enhancing the resiliency and adaptability of U.S. space forces. Another major objective is the enhancement of Processing, Exploitation, and Dissemination (PED) capabilities through the integration of the latest hardware, software, and automation technologies.

The program is conducting contractor fly-offs to select the best available PED solutions, and is investing in upgrades to data dissemination, analytic exploitation, and vulnerability/susceptibility analysis. These efforts support the development of operational tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs), as well as the execution of Space Intelligence Capabilities-Based Assessments (CBAs) to inform future requirements and material solutions for SDA.

The Space Intelligence Production Cell (SIPC) initiative is another critical component, focusing on the fusion of multi-intelligence (multi-INT) sources to support operational decision-making. SIPC investments include data management systems for archiving and making mission data discoverable, as well as upgrades to geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) exploitation tool suites. These enhancements are designed to support both CCMDs and the Intelligence Community (IC), ensuring that space intelligence products are timely, relevant, and accessible.

The acquisition strategy for the Space Superiority ISR program leverages competitive, cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) contracts with industry partners such as Cherokee LLC, CACI, and Booz Allen Hamilton. These contracts support engineering development, architecture upgrades, integration, testing, and vulnerability analysis. The program's objectives are closely aligned with the USSPACECOM Space Domain Awareness Initial Capabilities Document (ICD) and are intended to ensure that U.S. space acquisition and operational forces can respond rapidly and effectively to emerging adversary threats and technological advancements in the contested space domain.