US Capital West Side, by Martin Falbisoner

You can find this rather long document here.

Overall the budget provides a modest increase over FY2024 and the year long continuing resolution of FY2025 for both the overall budget and Procurement Construction and Improvement (PC&I). There is a very large increase over the small amount previously provided for Research and Development (R&D).

Bottom Line (Dollars in Thousands):

• Total: FY2025: $13,526,238 FY2026: $14,494,727 Change: +7.16%
• Operations and Support: FY2025: $10,415,271 FY2026: $11,066,223 Change: +6.25%
• PC&I: FY2025: $1,413,950 FY2026: $1,744,040 change: +23.3%
• R&D: FY2025: $7,476 FY2026: $67,701 change: +1,512.53%

Included within PC&I is “Shore Facilities and Aids to Navigation (ATON).” This particular line item saw a huge cut without apparent explanation. FY2025: $187,500 FY2026: $21,300 change: -88.64%

Here are some of the things I learned (assuming it all goes as planned) :

NSC: A Major Maintenance Availability (MMA) program for the National Security Cutters will begin.

Icebreaker: SLEP for USCGC Healy will begin.

OPC: FY2026 will be the first time two OPCs will be funded in the same year. Includes long lead time items for OPCs #10 and #11. Construction is expected to continue on the Eastern OPCs. The Crew for OPC#5 will form.

WMEC: Three more WMEC 210s will be decommissioned in FY2026. One WMEC270 (#3) will complete SLEP and two more (#4&5) will enter the program.

FRC: Two more Webber class WPCs will be funded and four more  will be commissioned in FY2026. This will include more cutters for Guam and San Juan.

WLM: There will be an MMA program for WLM175s.

Aircraft: There will be a big jump in funding for the MH-60T program: FY2025: $58,250 FY2026: $164,600. The first C-130J will be assigned to CGAS Sacramento. SLEP program for C-144s will begin.

New station will be built in the US Virgin Islands.

R&D: The R&D justification includes new programs, some you might find surprising.

Transformational Research and Development, $39,460.

Funding for this project will enable the development of innovative new detection and identification technologies, connectivity technologies, and data analytic efforts focused on artificial intelligence and machine learning related to advanced algorithms for the purpose of strengthening DHS and U.S. Government agencies’ detection programs. This investment is intended to enable new technologies to be fielded or to directly spur commercial development that strengthens the Homeland Security Enterprise.

Technical Forensics Research and Development Technology Readiness Level Exhibit, $6,530.

This project advances the U.S. Government’s technical capability to assess pre- and post-detonation material. The National Nuclear Forensics Expertise Development Program (NNFEDP) is crucial for maintaining a robust U.S. nuclear forensics capability by addressing the declining pipeline of qualified experts in this critical field. The NNFEDP supports research awards, fellowships, and specialized training to develop the next generation of nuclear forensic scientists. This investment ensures the U.S. can effectively analyze and attribute nuclear materials, informing critical national security decisions.

Detection Capability Development Research and Development Technology Readiness Level Exhibit, $14,948.

 This project supports acquisition and deployment of counter weapons of mass destruction (WMD) devices that will partially or wholly address capability gaps and provide DHS operational users and Federal, State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial stakeholders with commercially available or next-generation counter WMD devices.