Requirements Analysis & Concept Maturation

The Requirements Analysis & Concept Maturation (RACM) program is designed to identify, assess, and mature critical technologies to align warfighter capabilities with current and future threats. This initiative supports four key functions: stakeholder coordination, weapon system architecture construction, requirements development, and system maturation. It provides comprehensive mission and threat-informed concept characterizations to aid early acquisition activities and system suitability assessments. These efforts ensure that effective, affordable, and supportable capabilities transition into successful programs of record.

The Architecture & Integration Core Ops and Gap Assessment project under RACM focuses on real-time modeling, simulation, and analysis to evaluate warfighting capabilities and emerging technologies. It supports pre-systems acquisition planning activities and develops high-confidence initial designs for capability concepts. This project aims to deliver decision support for Air Force capability development by engaging stakeholders across various communities to ensure alignment with USAF and DoD priorities. Additionally, the project emphasizes the importance of engineering assessments for operational suitability considerations.

The Maturation and Modernization project within RACM is designed to execute prototyping efforts that reduce technological risks and accelerate acquisition maturation. It supports the transition of concepts from research and development to traditional program offices by leveraging agile software practices and existing infrastructure. This project focuses on prototyping needs as guided by Air Force and DoD level directives, ensuring that technology transitions effectively into operational capabilities.

The Hard and Deeply Buried Targets (HDBT) initiative seeks to understand how current and future strike capabilities can address sophisticated complexes protected by adversaries. This effort involves conducting ensemble analyses within campaign-level warfighting contexts to inform ongoing program planning reviews. The HDBT project supports Concept Development and Development Planning activities up to the establishment of a Program of Record, prioritizing recommendations for science and technology investments critical for operational initiatives.