Tactical Electronic Surveillance System - Adv Dev

The Tactical Electronic Surveillance System Advanced Development (PE 0603766A) is a U.S. Army research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) program focused on advancing the Army's ability to exploit national and commercial intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. The overarching goal is to provide Army commanders with deep sensing, indications and warnings, and intelligence support to targeting. This enhances situational awareness and supports Army modernization priorities such as Long Range Precision Fires, Advanced Deep Sensing, and Air and Missile Defense. The program is structured into three main projects: Tactical Exploitation of National Capabilities (TENCAP) Core, Tactical Intelligence Targeting Access Node (TITAN) Advanced Development, and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) ISR development.

Tactical Exploitation of National Capabilities (TENCAP) Core is the largest component. Its primary objective is to leverage national intelligence community (IC) and commercial ISR investments for Army use. TENCAP Core funds cross-agency engineering activities, prototyping, and integration of advanced software and hardware, ensuring Army systems remain interoperable with evolving national assets. Key efforts include the integration of U.S. Space Force (USSF) space-based ISR capabilities into Army ground stations and advanced software development for signals intelligence (SIGINT). The acceleration of critical capabilities through the Iron Quest/Iron Neptune initiatives is also a focus. TENCAP supports the development of government-owned, hardware-agnostic software frameworks for rapid integration of new ISR technologies.

Within TENCAP Core, specific sub-initiatives include Air Vigilance Advanced Software Development and TENCAP Radio Frequency Exploitation (TRFE). Air Vigilance focuses on exploiting national SIGINT advances to counter rapidly evolving threats and integrating advanced signals software into Army systems. TRFE aims to prototype software that enhances multi-discipline sensor systems, synchronizing SIGINT, electronic warfare, and cyber operations. This effort emphasizes open, scalable frameworks and leverages commercial technologies to minimize costs and maximize adaptability.

Tactical Intelligence Targeting Access Node (TITAN) Advanced Development develops and prototypes space-to-ground station capabilities that provide timely, assured access to national and commercial space-based ISR data. This includes engineering support for TITAN Space Ground Stations (SGS) and Space Ground Component Kits (SGCK), which integrate legacy and emerging sensors from the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) and commercial providers. TITAN also prototypes software analytics to improve the speed, precision, and accuracy of the intelligence cycle, supporting automated sensor-to-shooter workflows and enabling rapid targeting for Army operations.

Low Earth Orbit (LEO) ISR Development focuses on prototyping, development, and experimentation of all-domain sensors and effectors, including electro-optical, synthetic aperture radar, radio frequency, and hyperspectral systems. The objective is to provide wide-area, responsive sensing and alternative signal sources for beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) targeting and force maneuver. LEO ISR efforts are closely integrated with TITAN ground stations and theater gateways, supporting live-fire demonstrations and persistent experimentation. These activities aim to reduce sensor-to-shooter timelines and decrease reliance on vulnerable signal sources.

The acquisition strategies for these projects emphasize collaboration with the Intelligence Community, U.S. Space Force, Space Development Agency, Defense Innovation Unit, and commercial industry. The use of Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreements and open system architectures is intended to maximize agility, innovation, and interoperability. Soldier touchpoints and continuous feedback are incorporated throughout development to ensure operational relevance and user-driven improvements.