Unmanned ISR

The LI 0201UMNISR - UNMANNED ISR program is a procurement line item managed by the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) under the Department of Defense (DoD) budget. Its primary goal is to enhance the intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities of Special Operations Forces (SOF) through the acquisition and support of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and related technologies. The program is designed to enable SOF units to find, fix, and finish time-sensitive high-value targets while minimizing risk to personnel. This is particularly important in environments where targets are fleeting and require rapid, decisive action.

A major component of this line item is the procurement and support of SOF-peculiar mission kits, payloads, weaponization, and modifications for Group 4 Unmanned Aerial Systems, as well as associated Ground Control Stations (GCS) and training systems. Specific goals for FY 2026 include the acquisition of weapon launchers, tactical and airborne mission networking equipment, situational awareness payload integration, and expeditionary capabilities. These enhancements are intended to maintain operational readiness and flexibility for SOF missions, allowing for rapid deployment and adaptation to evolving threats.

Another key focus area is the procurement and support of mission kits, payloads, weapons, and modifications for the Long Endurance Aircraft (LEA) family of systems, including air vehicles, sensor payloads, and GCSs. The LEA UAS is intended to provide multi-intelligence capacity for USSOCOM ISR operations. For FY 2025 to FY 2026, there is a planned decrease in procurement due to sufficient current inventory levels, which supports ongoing operational airborne intelligence requirements without the need for additional air vehicles or sensor payloads in the near term.

The program also aims to standardize payload interfaces across SOF Group 1-5 UAS platforms. This objective is intended to accelerate the procurement and fielding of new capabilities, reduce development and sustainment costs, and allow operators in the field to quickly swap payloads on existing platforms. By reducing the time between sorties and enabling rapid adaptation to mission requirements, this standardization supports USSOCOM's broader goal of operational agility and responsiveness.

Expeditionary capabilities and situational awareness payload integration are funded to ensure SOF units can operate in diverse and challenging environments. These investments support the deployment of UAS with advanced networking and sensor integration, enabling real-time data exfiltration and enhanced situational awareness. The program also includes funding for tactical mission networking, both in base and overseas operations contexts, to ensure secure and reliable communications for deployed forces.

Prior year completed efforts reflect significant investments made in previous fiscal years to establish and mature the ISR capabilities now being sustained and incrementally improved. These completed efforts include procurement of UAS platforms, payloads, and support equipment, which form the foundation for ongoing enhancements under the current budget cycle. Congressional adds and overseas contingency operations (OCO) funding have also contributed to the program, addressing emergent requirements and combat loss replacements as needed.