Cyberspace and DoDIN Operations

The Cyberspace and DoDIN Operations program, as outlined in Program Element (PE) 0303089F of the Air Force's FY2026 Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) budget, is focused on advancing the Air Force's capabilities in cyberspace operations and Department of Defense Information Network (DoDIN) management. The primary goal is to enhance situational awareness (SA) and command and control (C2) for cyber defense, particularly through the development and modernization of software tools and dashboards that support the visualization and analysis of cyber terrain and threats. This program is managed under Budget Activity 7, which is dedicated to operational system development, signifying its emphasis on upgrading and integrating fielded systems with new capabilities.

A central objective of the program is the development and deployment of the Cyberspace Operations Support (CSOS) portfolio. CSOS is designed to process and visualize data from weapon and mission systems, leveraging sensors provided by the Integrated Defensive Cyberspace System (IDCS). The initial focus of CSOS development is the Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) Area of Responsibility (AOR), with plans to expand support to global Air Force missions in subsequent years. This phased approach allows the Air Force to address region-specific cyber defense needs before scaling solutions to broader operational contexts.

The program aims to comply with Section 1505 of the FY22 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which mandates comprehensive mapping of Mission Relevant Terrain-Cyber (MRT-C) for Defense Critical Assets (DCAs) and Task Critical Assets (TCAs). This mapping is essential for mission thread analysis and for providing actionable situational awareness to commanders and cyber defense teams. The CSOS initiative will focus on developing advanced data analytics, visualization dashboards, and network awareness tools to enable effective decision-making and threat response across the Department of the Air Force (DAF).

Within this program element, the primary line item is Cyber Systems Modernization. The objectives for Cyber Systems Modernization include adapting and modifying existing C2 solutions to meet evolving DAF requirements, prototyping new visualization and dashboard tools, and supporting cyber exercises within the PACAF AOR. In FY2026, the project's scope expands to initiate mapping of MRT-C for global Air Force missions and to support cyber exercises at a worldwide scale, incorporating emerging requirements into ongoing software development cycles.

The program also supports the development of Air Force-specific software modules and enhancements to existing cyber C2 suites, including tools for Mission Defense Team (MDT) operations and the Air Force Information Network (AFIN) Security Operations Center (SOC). These enhancements are intended to provide weapon systems cyber awareness and improve overall network security posture. The acquisition strategy for CSOS leverages the Software Acquisition Pathway (DoDI 5000.87), emphasizing agile development, rapid prototyping, and iterative delivery to ensure timely fielding of new capabilities.

Funding within this program element is allocated across product development, program management support, and test and evaluation activities. The development efforts are structured to facilitate integration and enhancement of cyber C2 solutions, sensor deployment, network monitoring, and mission control system improvements. Program Management Office (PMO) support costs and test support activities are included to ensure effective oversight and validation of new capabilities prior to operational deployment.