Acq Workforce- Global Vig & Combat Sys

The Acq Workforce-Global Vigilance & Combat Systems program, designated as Program Element (PE) 0605827F in the Air Force's Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) budget, is focused on supporting the acquisition and product support workforce responsible for delivering and sustaining advanced weapon systems. Managed by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC), this program underpins the operational readiness of U.S. and allied forces by ensuring that acquisition professionals have the resources and expertise necessary to oversee the entire life cycle of Global Vigilance and Combat Systems programs.

The primary goal of this program is to provide direct funding for the acquisition workforce engaged in all phases of weapon system development. This includes material solution analysis, technology development, engineering and manufacturing development, production and deployment, as well as operations and support. The program ensures that the workforce has the management tools, technical capabilities, and business acumen required to effectively manage complex acquisition programs, from initial concept through sustainment and eventual disposal.

A major component of this line item is Acquisition Workforce - Civilian Pay, which covers the salaries and associated costs for civilian personnel who are integral to the acquisition and product support functions. These professionals are tasked with providing cutting-edge weapon systems and sustainment capabilities, ensuring that Global Vigilance and Combat Systems programs are managed efficiently and effectively throughout their life cycles. The funding supports both pay and non-pay requirements, but does not include base operating support for civilian personnel.

Acquisition Workforce - Non-Civilian Pay is a smaller but still essential part of the program, supporting non-civilian personnel involved in the same acquisition and sustainment activities. This funding ensures that the necessary management, technical, and business support is available for the oversight of Global Vigilance and Combat Systems acquisition programs. However, the majority of the funding in this program element is allocated to civilian pay.

In FY 2026, the efforts under PE 0605827F were transferred to PE 0605831F, Acq Workforce - Capability Integration, as part of a broader consolidation of six AFLCMC acquisition workforce program elements into three. This restructuring aims to more accurately reflect the workforce's contributions to three primary outputs and capabilities: Cyber, Network, & Business Systems; Capability Integration; and Management HQ - R&D. The consolidation is intended to improve management flexibility in response to workforce attrition, hiring timelines, demographic changes, and average work year costs, while maintaining transparency in funding and workforce authorizations.

The program's justification is rooted in the need to sustain a highly skilled acquisition workforce capable of managing the Air Force's most advanced and complex weapon systems. By funding the personnel who oversee research, development, test, and evaluation activities, the program directly supports the modernization and operational effectiveness of the Air Force's Global Vigilance and Combat Systems portfolio. The program does not fund procurement of equipment or systems directly, but rather the human capital necessary to ensure these programs are executed successfully.

The program is categorized under Budget Activity 6, RDT&E Management Support, which is reserved for efforts that sustain or modernize the infrastructure and operations required for general research, development, test, and evaluation. All funding and activities were consolidated in FY 2026 to streamline management and reduce the need for technical adjustments during execution. This approach is expected to enhance the AFLCMC's ability to adapt to changing workforce and mission requirements while maintaining clear oversight and accountability.