Special Activities

The Special Activities program, identified as Program Element (PE) 0606005D8Z within the Office of the Secretary of Defense's Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) budget, is designed to support highly classified research and development initiatives. Administered under the authority of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Mission Capabilities in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)), this program is reported in accordance with Title 10, United States Code, Section 119(a)(1), specifically in the Special Access Program Annual Report to Congress. The primary objective is to advance capabilities that are critical to national security, with specific details and accomplishments maintained at higher classification levels due to the sensitive nature of the work.

The Special Projects line item within this program element represents the sole budget line and supports research, development, and testing activities that are not publicly disclosed, reflecting the program's focus on classified technologies and operational concepts. The justification for these expenditures is rooted in the need to maintain technological superiority and address emerging threats that require discreet and innovative solutions.

The goals of the Special Activities program are to enable the Department of Defense to pursue advanced research and development projects that cannot be discussed in open forums due to their potential impact on national defense and security. These objectives typically include the development of novel technologies, enhancement of operational capabilities, and support for special access programs (SAPs) that are managed at the highest levels of the Department.

The program ensures that critical R&D efforts are adequately resourced, even when the specifics must remain classified. Oversight and management of the Special Activities program are conducted by OUSD(R&E), with the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Mission Capabilities serving as the primary point of contact. This structure ensures that the program aligns with broader departmental goals related to mission capabilities and technological innovation.

The program's reporting requirements to Congress, though limited in detail, provide assurance that the funding is subject to appropriate oversight and review. Adjustments to the budget for Special Activities from FY 2024 to FY 2026 reflect changes in economic assumptions and reprogramming actions. For example, the FY 2026 base funding decreased slightly due to updated economic projections. Other adjustments, such as transfers to the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, further refine the allocation of resources within the RDT&E portfolio.

No acquisition strategy or additional program funding summaries are provided for Special Activities, consistent with the classified nature of the work. The program does not specify quantities of RDT&E articles produced, and remarks in the budget justification confirm that further information is restricted. This approach is typical for special access programs, where operational security and the protection of sensitive technologies are paramount.