Lawmakers Urge Space Force to Allocate Funds for Innovative Commercial Spying Technology
TacSRT Gains Momentum as Core Component of Space Force's Tactical Surveillance
In a significant development, the Tactical Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Tracking (TacSRT) program is set to achieve formal funding and program of record status within the U.S. Space Force's tactical surveillance capabilities for fiscal 2026.
The House Armed Services Committee (HASC) defense bill mandates that the Department of the Air Force fund TacSRT as a "program of record" for the first time, moving it beyond the pilot stage where it previously relied on congressional add-ons rather than Air Force budget allocations[1]. This recognition reflects the growing demand for TacSRT from combatant commands (COCOMs) and its role in sharing space data with allies.
The Senate Appropriations Committee's defense panel has advised adding approximately $55 million for TacSRT in fiscal 2026 to the defense budget, indicating continued congressional support[2]. Previously, congressional funding was about $40 million annually for fiscal 2024 and 2025, with no direct Air Force budget inclusion[1].
The elevation of TacSRT to a program of record status means the Space Force and Department of the Air Force are expected to increase their funding commitments, including developing hybrid commercial-government architectures in multi-orbit space and investing in hybrid terminals for aircraft to enhance tactical space surveillance capacities[1].
The TacSRT program supports hybrid space architectures and enhanced data sharing with COCOMs and allies, indicating its strategic importance for space-enabled tactical surveillance[1]. This funding transition is expected to increase the Space Force's operational surveillance flexibility and capability at the tactical level.
However, members of the House of Representatives are concerned that funding TacSRT solely through congressional increases does not enable the project to plan beyond the year of execution. To address this, the House of Representatives has directed the Pentagon's Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation (CAPE) office to review TacSRT, its mission use cases, objectives, and contracting mechanisms, and make recommendations for its organization, operations, and use of contracts with commercial vendors[3].
Space Force leaders have touted TacSRT as a success story, leveraging commercial firms to deliver information faster than typical space intelligence assets[4]. The Space Force has also released a Small Business Innovation Research solicitation for novel propulsion systems to keep satellites in Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO), aiming to unlock sustained operations for missions like ISR, communications, and space domain awareness[5].
Within six months, CAPE is to brief Congress on its findings regarding TacSRT[3]. Meanwhile, an amendment offered by Rep. Jeff Crank in the authorization bill recognizes the potential of VLEO for persistent surveillance, tactical ISR, and responsive sensing in contested environments[6]. Congress is pushing for the Space Force to enhance its tactical surveillance capabilities by exploring very low-Earth orbit.
The VLEO market is poised to explode in the coming years, and the ability to conduct better Earth observation is a key reason why[7]. TacSRT was used during the withdrawal from air bases in Niger and the construction of the Joint-Logistics-Over-the-Shore pier off Gaza in 2024[8].
In conclusion, fiscal 2026 marks a pivotal year for TacSRT as it moves towards formal funding and program of record status. The increased funding and strategic focus are expected to bolster the Space Force's tactical surveillance capabilities, making TacSRT a core component of the Space Force's tactical surveillance and reconnaissance architecture in fiscal 2026 and beyond.
References: 1. HASC Marks Up NDAA for Fiscal Year 2026 2. Senate Appropriations Committee Approves Fiscal Year 2026 Defense Bill 3. HASC Directs CAPE to Review TacSRT 4. Space Force Leaders Tout TacSRT Success 5. Space Force Solicitation for Novel Propulsion Systems 6. Congress Pushes for Enhanced Tactical Surveillance Capabilities 7. VLEO Market Poised for Growth 8. TacSRT Used in Niger Withdrawal and Gaza Pier Construction
- The Tactical Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Tracking (TacSRT) program, a key component of the Space Force's tactical surveillance, is expected to receive formal funding and program of record status in fiscal 2026.
- The Space Force and Department of the Air Force are anticipated to increase their funding commitments for TacSRT, with a focus on developing hybrid commercial-government architectures in multi-orbit space and investing in hybrid terminals for aircraft.
- TacSRT supports hybrid space architectures and enhanced data sharing with combatant commands (COCOMs) and allies, highlighting its strategic importance for space-enabled tactical surveillance.
- The ability to conduct better Earth observation is a key reason for the anticipated growth in the VLEO (Very Low Earth Orbit) market, a potential area that Congress is pushing the Space Force to explore for enhancing its tactical surveillance capabilities.
- The TacSRT program has been used for compelling operations such as the withdrawal from air bases in Niger and the construction of the Joint-Logistics-Over-the-Shore pier off Gaza, demonstrating its practical applications in tactical surveillance.
