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Budget: Where the money goes in military communications

By

Michael Hardy

Approximately 1,270 cadet candidates report to West Point June 29 for Reception Day for the West Point Class of 2019. During Reception Day, the new cadets undergo administrative processing, are fitted with their initial issue of military clothing, receive haircuts, medical and physical evaluations, and begin their first lessons in marching, military courtesy and discipline, beginning the process of becoming West Point cadets and future U.S. Army officers. (U.S. Army photo by: Staff Sgt. Vito T. Bryant/ USMA Public Affairs)

In the ever-evolving world of tactical radios and other communications systems, the flow of budgetary dollars says a lot about priorities. Comparing the budget request for 2016 to that from 2015, for example, shows that the Army is spending less on buying equipment for the Joint Tactical Radio System, while the Navy is spending quite a bit more on JTRS research and development, year over year.

Related: A Revolution in Tactical Radios

According to budget data analyzed by VisualDoD, the Army’s procurement request for JTRS is $64.6 million, down by $111 million. Meanwhile, the Navy’s RDT&E request for JTRS is $25.1 million, up by nearly $18 million from the previous year. (The Army has also requested nearly $13 million for JTRS RTD&E.)

Take a look at the chart below for some other losers and gainers in the 2016 budget.

The changing face of war is changing the concept of tactical radios.

Photo Credit: DoD

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Michael Hardy