Air Force Requests $811M for IT Modernization, ‘As-a-Service’ Models

The Air Force is asking for $811 million to finance efforts to modernize its information technology infrastructure. In its fiscal 2022 budget request, the Air Force said it plans to adopt more managed services and focus more on software development.

According to the Air Force, IT modernization will support the Department of Defense’s goal of connecting sensors from all of the military services, a concept known as Joint All-Domain Command and Control, FCW reported Thursday.

“The Air Force continues its initiative to transform its information technology model into an as-a-service construct with a $383 million increase,” said James Peccia, Air Force deputy assistant secretary for budget, adding that the transformation would lower the resources needed for maintenance.

The budget earmarked at least $53.6 million for transitioning base network operations to enterprise IT-as-a-service. 

The Air Force is also asking for $64 million for the development of a modern Kubernetes-based platform that airmen can use to monitor command and control systems.

According to budget documents, the platform will be built on unclassified, secret and Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communications System networks.

Army leaders recently highlighted the importance of modernizing networks for JADC2 and other such joint capabilities.

Maj. Gen. Peter Gallagher, director of Army Futures Command’s Network Cross-Functional Team and a speaker at a past Potomac Officers Club event, said JADC2 can optimize sensor-to-shooter and joint firing capabilities, which former of which was demonstrated as part of the Army’s Project Convergence. 

Project Convergence is a multi-platform initiative aimed at merging joint force capabilities and is the Army’s contribution to the DOD’s JADC2 goal.