FY 2026 DOD Space Force Budget Estimates
15 November 2025 | ZEROGeoengineering.com | Wider scrutiny and public oversight is needed regarding DOD budgets, programs and partnerships.
U.S. Space Force Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation 836-page Budget Estimate is $29,034,380. Federal funding proposal includes research experimentation programs related to: Artificial Intelligence (AI), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), Air Force Global Weather Central (AFGWC), EO/IR Weather Systems [EO/IR refers to Electro-Optical and Infrared sensor systems used for imaging and surveillance], Weather System Follow-on (WSF) Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) microwave imaging system, satellites, sensors, “incorporating Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) into GPS receiver architectures,” 5G acceleration, University Research Initiatives, and “establishment of a proliferated data Transport Layer to develop a responsive space architecture.” Partners include: North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Taiwan Space Agency (TASA), and Canadian Space Agency (CSA).
Additional priorities: Collaboration with the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada, “to execute relevant field experiments and develop specification models with utility for operational systems,” trilateral collaboration with United States, Great Britain and Australia “to understand the utility of ionospheric specification for Radio Frequency applications and the impacts of naturally and artificially produced ionospheric modifications,” and “development of dedicated space-based sensors and sensemaking data analytics for trusted, real-time, multi-domain (MTI) by networked automated Long-Range Kill Webs (LRKW).”
A fundamental component of this program is the recognition that future technologies and technology exploitations require highly coordinated and concerted multi- and interdisciplinary efforts. Efforts in this program have been coordinated through the Department of Defense Science and Technology Executive Committee process to harmonize efforts and eliminate duplication.
Lasers & Imaging Technology
Foundational work and support for national roadmaps related to Space environment capabilities, i.e. National Space Weather Strategy and Action Plan, Space Operations Command, North Atlantic Treaty Organization [NATO], National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Air Combat Command, Air Force Weather, Department of Commerce, etc.
Trilateral collaboration with United States, Great Britain and Australia to understand the utility of ionospheric specification for Radio Frequency applications and the impacts of naturally and artificially produced ionospheric modifications.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) Models
Activities may include, but are not limited to program office support, studies, technical analysis, experimentation, risk reduction, prototyping, and activities that may leverage commercial, U.S. Government partnership, and international opportunities.
[Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) are millimeter-scale sensors that can collect and transmit data via wireless (“5G”) systems.]
This effort is in Budget Activity 4, Advanced Component Development and Prototypes (ACD&P), because efforts are necessary to evaluate integrated technologies, representative modes or prototype systems in a high fidelity and realistic operating environment.
EO/IR Weather Systems [EO/IR refers to Electro-Optical and Infrared sensor systems used for imaging and surveillance]
Narrowband 5G Acceleration 2026-2028
In FY 2026, the budget request increased by $25.000 million to accelerate Narrowband technologies, specifically 5G for tactical user equipment compatibility with commercial partners and LEO satellite constellations.
Link To DOD Air Force FY26 Budget Estimates Space Force Research and Development Test and Evaluation
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FY2026 Department of Defense NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY (NOFO)