Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS)

The Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS) is a Department of the Air Force (DAF) initiative funded under Program Element (PE) 0604003F. Its primary goal is to develop and integrate advanced command and control (C2) capabilities for the Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control (CJADC2) warfighting concept. Led by the DAF Program Executive Office for Command, Control, Communication, and Battle Management (PEO C3BM), ABMS aims to deliver resilient, distributed, and interoperable C2 solutions across air, space, land, maritime, and coalition domains. The program supports the DAF BATTLE NETWORK, a foundational architecture for future joint and coalition operations, by funding a portfolio of core programs and orchestrating their technical integration.

Architecture and Systems Engineering (ASE) is the first thrust area, focusing on the technical integrity and integration of ABMS capabilities. ASE activities include digital engineering, mission domain architecture development, and the establishment of Mission Integration Teams (MITs) to coordinate cross-domain solutions. The ASE office also manages operational analysis, risk reduction, and test and evaluation of integrated systems. The Operational Response Team (ORT) under ASE rapidly prototypes and experiments with new technologies, ensuring that capability gaps and requirements are continuously identified and addressed. These efforts collectively provide the blueprint for the broader DAF BATTLE NETWORK architecture.

C3BM Digital Infrastructure (DI) is the second thrust area, delivering the digital backbone required for secure, multi-level processing and connectivity across the DAF BATTLE NETWORK. DI investments focus on developing fixed and deployable infrastructure solutions, including Software Defined Wide Area Networks (SD-WAN), cross-domain solutions, and cloud-native applications. The Enterprise Systems Engineering Team (ESET) manages the ABMS Consortium, which defines technical standards and guides integration. The ABMS Battle Lab supports direct warfighter interaction with prototypes, accelerating feedback and product maturity. Planned funding increases reflect expanded deployment of DI nodes and scaling of cloud and platform offerings.

C3BM Software and Applications is the third thrust area, providing battle management command and control (BMC2) applications and tools. This includes the Cloud-Based Command and Control (CBC2) suite, which replaces legacy C2 systems with modern cloud applications enhanced by artificial intelligence and machine learning. CBC2 development is focused on NORAD, USNORTHCOM, and PACAF, with plans to extend functionality to additional combatant commands. Distributed Battle Management Applications (DBMA) further expand CBC2 capabilities to other DAF entities, supporting joint tactical integrated fire control, long-range kill chains, and coalition data sharing. Agile software development and continuous integration/delivery are central to these efforts.

C3BM Aerial Networking develops technologies that connect airborne assets to the ABMS cloud, enabling real-time sensor and effects integration. The Phalanx Griffon program extends aerial networking capabilities to tactical aircraft, with major releases planned for long-range fires platforms. Development includes multi-function processors, edge node hardware, and open architecture integration options. The C3 Hybrid SATCOM product line transitions Global Lightning prototypes to meet architectural requirements for multiple Air Force organizations, supporting beyond line-of-sight communications and data sharing.

C3BM Deployable Systems focuses on the Tactical Operations Center-Light (TOC-L), a mobile, expeditionary BMC2 system designed for rapid relocation and independent operations. TOC-L integrates ground-based sensors, data links, and intelligence fusion, providing a Common Tactical Picture (CTP) for warfighters. The program has delivered experimentation kits and is advancing toward full prototype production and fielding. Deployable Digital Infrastructure components and CBC2 software are integrated into TOC-L, supporting multi-domain joint force exercises and long-range kill chain scenarios.

C3BM DAF Integrated Fires C2 develops Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) long-range fire and control capabilities for specialized targets. This effort integrates multiple prototypes from AFRL and TENCAP into the DAF BATTLE NETWORK, focusing on modeling, simulation, infrastructure systems engineering, and battle management microservice development. Planned funding supports the transition of prototypes into a common baseline, technical readiness assessments, and preparation for joint exercises. The ABMS acquisition strategy emphasizes modularity, open standards, and agile development, leveraging flexible contracting vehicles to accelerate delivery and continuous innovation across the portfolio.