Distributed Cyber Warfare Operations

The Distributed Cyber Warfare Operations (DCWO) program, managed by the Air Force, focuses on developing offensive cyberspace capabilities through research, development, testing, and evaluation. It aims to transition efforts from laboratories, industry, and academia into operational capabilities. This involves accelerated prototyping and technology demonstrations to ensure readiness for operations. The program's effectiveness is derived from balancing acquisition-related efforts across three mission threads: Off Network, Telephony Network, and the associated Infrastructure that supports these threads.

The primary objective of the DCWO is to provide cyber effects to Combatant Commanders and other offensive cyber customers to enable air superiority. This is achieved by integrating three subsystems and technical enablers: Platforms, Access, and Cyber Weapons. These components are essential for delivering products, services, and systems within the DCWO portfolio. Additionally, the program includes necessary civilian pay expenses for managing and executing weapon system capabilities.

In FY 2025, the DCWO will consolidate previous efforts under new major thrusts aligned with Offensive Cyber Operations (OCO). This includes transitioning components from the Air Force Cyber Mission Platform (CMP), Access/Infrastructure, and Payloads into a cohesive framework. The new structure will focus on Off Network, Telephony Network, and Infrastructure mission thread portfolios. These efforts are managed by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center's Cyber Warfare Mission Systems Program Management Office.

The DCWO program employs a streamlined acquisition strategy utilizing various contractual vehicles to meet its objectives. This approach ensures a wide range of commercially available products and services are accessible for Offensive Cyberspace Operations. The program's alignment with USCYBERCOM directives further emphasizes its strategic importance in enhancing cyber capabilities across multiple domains.