Joint Personnel Recovery Agency

The Joint Personnel Recovery Agency (JPRA) program, under Program Element PE 0901202F, is a Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) initiative managed by the Air Force. Its primary objective is to develop and enhance capabilities for personnel recovery across the Department of Defense (DoD), particularly in the context of Large Scale Combat Operations, Multi-Domain Operations, and anti-access/area denial environments. The JPRA supports Combatant Commanders and the Services by addressing capability gaps identified in the Personnel Recovery Initial Capabilities Document and subsequent requirements approved through the Joint Capabilities Integration Development System.

A central goal of the JPRA program is the development and transition to sustainment of the Personnel Recovery Information Data System (PRIDS). PRIDS is envisioned as an enterprise-level information data system that will enable DoD-wide data management, analysis, and collaboration for personnel recovery operations. The system is designed to support the integration of information across agencies and services, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of recovery missions. PRIDS will be housed on USAF Platform One/Cloud One, ensuring secure and scalable cloud-based infrastructure for data storage and access.

The JPRA program also funds the Common Distress Reporting System, which is managed by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC/HBZ) in Huntington Beach, CA. This system is intended to standardize and streamline the reporting of distress signals from isolated personnel, facilitating rapid and coordinated response efforts. The development of this system supports interoperability among different branches and agencies, ensuring that distress signals are quickly identified, tracked, and acted upon in joint operational environments.

Another key objective is the advancement of Collaborative Personnel Recovery Planning Systems and Personnel Recovery Capabilities Development. These efforts focus on creating tools and processes that enable joint planning and execution of recovery missions, leveraging technology to enhance situational awareness, coordination, and decision-making. The program funds research and development activities, support equipment, contract services, and all associated costs necessary to support JPRA headquarters at Ft. Belvoir, VA, as well as other operating locations.

The JPRA program is categorized under Budget Activity 7, Operational Systems Development, which includes efforts to upgrade systems that have been fielded or have received approval for full-rate production. This classification reflects the program's emphasis on transitioning research and development outputs into operational capabilities that can be sustained and scaled within the DoD. The acquisition strategy leverages existing program contracts where possible, with new contracts awarded through full and open competition when necessary.

Funding for the JPRA program in FY 2024, FY 2025, and FY 2026 is allocated primarily to the development of PRIDS, the Common Distress Reporting System, and collaborative planning systems. Adjustments in funding levels reflect inflation and other programmatic changes, with no congressional reductions or rescissions noted for these fiscal years. Civilian pay expenses required to manage and execute the program are accounted for separately and are not included in this program element's budget.