Agile Combat Support

The Agile Combat Support (ACS) program, as outlined in Program Element (PE) 0604617F, is a critical Air Force initiative focused on enhancing installation resilience and operational readiness through advanced information systems. The primary objective of this line item is to support the research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) of the Department of the Air Force Emergency Management Information System (DAF EMIS). This system is designed to provide secure, adaptable, and interoperable capabilities to address a wide range of natural, technological, and human-caused hazards and threats that could impact Air Force installations and mission assets.

Applications Development is the main budget line within ACS for FY 2024, supporting further development of DAF EMIS. This project was transferred from the Airbase Air Defense Systems portfolio to ACS, reflecting a strategic realignment to better support the evolving needs of Air Force emergency management. The project leverages the expertise of the Kessel Run software development team and is executed primarily by Leidos, with program management and administration support.

The central goal of DAF EMIS is to enable the Air Force to prepare for, prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from the most significant hazards and threats at tactical, operational, and strategic levels. The system is intended to facilitate the sharing and exchange of critical information across the Air Force enterprise and with external partners, including local, state, federal, joint, and allied agencies. This interoperability is essential for effective collaboration during multi-jurisdictional incidents and for supporting the Air Force's role in civil support, anti-terrorism, and countering weapons of mass destruction operations.

A key objective of the program is the development of a Common Operating Picture that integrates near-real-time, all-domain sensor data and visualization tools. Planned enhancements include the integration of sensors and drones to assess post-incident impacts, 3D geospatial mapping, and bridging data gaps between classified and unclassified networks. These capabilities are designed to compress decision-making cycles, improve situational awareness, and support rapid response and recovery actions while reducing risk to personnel.

The DAF EMIS program is closely aligned with several national and departmental directives and frameworks, including Homeland Security Presidential Directive 5, Presidential Policy Directive 8, the National Preparedness System, and the National Incident Management System. It also supports Air Force-specific strategies such as the Basing and Logistics Enterprise Strategy, the Advanced Battle Management System, and the Joint All Domain Command and Control construct. By adhering to these frameworks, the program ensures that its capabilities meet both federal and military requirements for emergency management and operational continuity.

The acquisition strategy for DAF EMIS emphasizes agile software development methodologies, continuous integration and delivery, and evolutionary acquisition to ensure rapid and flexible delivery of new capabilities. The program's agile approach allows for ongoing enhancements, scalability, and integration with other Air Force command and control systems, particularly through the use of the Command and Control Incident Management Emergency Response Application. This integration is expected to yield synergistic effects in cost-sharing and improved response and recovery outcomes.