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ULTRA

Category: Procurement • Line Item: 10ULTA • FY25 Budget Request: $35.3M

Overview

Budget Account
3010F - Aircraft Procurement, Air Force
Budget Activity
04 - Other aircraft
Previous Year
Description
The ULTRA program, led by the Air Force, is focused on developing the Ultra Long-endurance Unmanned Reconnaissance Aircraft. This initiative aims to procure an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) capable of sustaining multiple-day flights while maintaining cost-effectiveness. By leveraging commercial-off-the-shelf technologies, the program seeks to minimize reliance on expensive custom components, thereby reducing maintenance and manpower needs.

A key objective of the ULTRA program is to ensure flexibility and adaptability in its payload integration. The system's modular architecture allows for rapid incorporation of various customer-driven payload options, enhancing its operational versatility. During its development phase, a six-month period of limited operational testing and evaluation in 2020 provided critical insights into payload and system requirements for addressing current and future reconnaissance needs.

In 2025, the program plans to acquire four ULTRA platforms, each equipped with an electro-optical/infrared sensor (MX-15) and a signals intelligence package. This acquisition supports the Air Force's goal of enhancing reconnaissance capabilities through advanced unmanned systems. The focus remains on achieving long-endurance flight capabilities while ensuring affordability and ease of maintenance, aligning with broader strategic objectives for modernizing aerial reconnaissance assets.
Budget Trend

ULTRA Procurement Programs (10ULTA) budget history and request


Interactive stacked bar chart for exploring the ULTRA budget
Interactive line chart for exploring the ULTRA budget
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029
Actual Actual Actual Actual Actual Actual Actual Actual Actual Actual Enacted Requested Forecasted Forecasted Forecasted Forecasted
$0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $35,274,000 $0 $0 $0 $0

Interactive stacked bar chart for exploring the ULTRA procurement
Interactive line chart for exploring the ULTRA procurement
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029
Actual Actual Actual Actual Actual Actual Actual Actual Actual Actual Enacted Requested Forecasted Forecasted Forecasted Forecasted
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0
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FY2025 Defense Budget Detail

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FY2025 Budget Released: 03/09/24