Tactical Deception

The Tactical Deception program (PE 0208007F) is an Air Force initiative under the Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) appropriation, specifically within Budget Activity 7: Operational Systems Development. Its primary goal is to develop and mature a suite of technologies and tactics that enable the Air Force to minimize, distort, or create electromagnetic, infrared, acoustic, and other signatures. These efforts are designed to confuse or mislead adversary sensors, thereby reducing the confidence in enemy intelligence assessments, exhausting adversary intelligence resources, and disrupting their targeting cycles. The program supports both deterrence and operational advantage across the competition continuum, including peacetime, crisis, and conflict scenarios.

A major objective within the Tactical Deception program is the Air Base Resiliency project (Project 674550), which focuses on non-kinetic air base defense capabilities. This includes developing technologies and tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) that deny adversaries the ability to gather accurate intelligence or conduct effective surveillance and targeting against U.S. air bases. The project supports both military and civilian personnel in planning, concept development, experimentation, and operational employment of these emerging capabilities.

In FY 2025, the program plans to finalize phase 1 and 2 prototypes and begin technology maturation for phase 3, with increased funding in FY 2026 to ramp up development and operational support.

The Radar Modeling congressional add in FY 2024 provided resources to develop advanced models of tactical deception assets. This effort supports technical maturation and risk reduction by improving the ability to simulate and evaluate how new deception technologies interact with adversary radar systems. The models are essential for validating the effectiveness of signature management techniques and for informing the development of future deception assets. The work was performed by contractors in Los Angeles, CA, and Huntsville, AL, under various contract types.

Several specific technology development contracts are included under the Air Base Resiliency project, such as Technical Maturation Risk Reduction (TMRR), SR Prototype, and other prototype efforts. These contracts cover a range of activities from initial concept development to prototype fabrication and testing. The goal is to mature and validate technologies for procurement and eventual fielding, ensuring that air base defense systems can effectively counter evolving adversary sensor capabilities.

Support activities within the program include a RAND Study to provide analytical support and a direct cite authorization for civilian pay at the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) at Wright-Patterson AFB. These funds cover essential program management, administration, and contractor support, ensuring that the program is adequately staffed and managed. Forecasted civilian pay expenses supplement other program elements that fund civilian personnel.

Test and evaluation efforts are conducted at Eglin AFB, FL, under the Chicken Little project. These activities are critical for validating the operational effectiveness of developed technologies and TTPs before they are fielded. Program management and administration are also funded to support travel, contractor support, and other government costs necessary for the execution of the Tactical Deception program.