Air & Space Operations Center (AOC)

The Air & Space Operations Center (AOC) program, under Program Element (PE) 0207410F, is a critical Air Force initiative focused on the research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) of advanced command and control (C2) capabilities for air and space operations. The program's overarching goal is to modernize the AOC Weapon System (WS), ensuring it remains capable, scalable, secure, resilient, and interoperable across the full spectrum of strategic and tactical operations. This modernization effort supports the requirements of Major Theater War (MTW) scenarios, aligns with Department of Defense (DoD) directives, and integrates evolving Government and Commercial Off the Shelf (GOTS/COTS) technologies.

AOC WS Modifications (Project 674596) is the primary line item within this program element. The objective of this project is to consolidate disparate C2 systems within the AOC enterprise to a unified baseline, enabling improved operational effectiveness and compliance. Key goals include transitioning from legacy systems such as Theater Battle Management Core System - Force Level (TBMCS FL) and AOC 10.1 to the modernized Block 20 configuration. The project leverages agile software engineering, continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipelines, and managed cloud infrastructure (IaaS/PaaS) to deliver new capabilities, enhance speed and automation of the air tasking cycle, and maintain interoperability with joint and coalition partners.

AOC WS Modifications also focus on expanding access to mission partners in denied, disrupted, intermittent, and limited bandwidth environments. The program supports dynamic targeting and streamlines operational workflows. It is closely integrated with other Air Force investments, such as Mission Planning Systems, All Domain Common Platform (ADCP), C2IMERA, and the Air Battle Management System (ABMS), to deliver the Theater Air Planning System of Systems (TAP-SoS) architecture for the Department of the Air Force (DAF) Battle Network. Efforts will accelerate interoperability with Navy, Marine Corps, Army, and Five Eyes (FVEY) coalition partners, and deliver advanced cloud-based applications like AppTX to support distributed operations and real-time system monitoring.

Kessel Run Flight Operations (Project 674597) is a new addition to PE 0207410F. This project aims to modernize aerospace combat readiness management by developing and integrating software solutions for scheduling, records management, standardization/evaluation, and resource allocation for aircrews and operational units. The Flight Ops system combines legacy tools into a unified enterprise solution, optimizing unit resource allocation, maximizing sortie value, and increasing total force readiness. The system is designed to provide real-time visibility into aircraft and crew status, support AI-driven scheduling, and integrate with collaborative combat aircraft and autonomous vehicles.

The objectives of Kessel Run Flight Operations include driving efficiencies in software development, sustainment, and management, while ensuring compliance with DoD cybersecurity mandates and National Defense Strategy priorities. The program supports both peacetime and wartime operations by delivering validated, mission-ready personnel and assets to meet operational and training requirements. Funding will support continued integration of existing products, development of a modern user interface, and deployment of resilient architecture for scheduling and resource management across Air Mobility Command, Air Combat Command, and the U.S. Space Force.

Both AOC WS Modifications and Kessel Run Flight Operations employ acquisition strategies that leverage commercial best practices for agile development and modular contracting. Program management and contracting authority are provided by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) at Hanscom AFB, MA, with support from Program Executive Offices (PEO) Digital and Command, Control, & Communications Battle Management (C3BM). The programs utilize a mix of small and large business contracts, military interdepartmental purchase requests (MIPR), and partnerships with DoD laboratories, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDC), academia, and commercial industry.