EIT CONNECT

The EIT CONNECT program, as outlined in Program Element (PE) 0303004F, is a United States Air Force initiative under the Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) budget, specifically within Budget Activity 7: Operational Systems Development. The primary objective of EIT CONNECT is to enhance the deployment and connectivity of tactical communications solutions at the edge, building upon previous efforts from the Department of the Air Force (DAF) Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS). The program aims to provide resilient, distributed, and secure connectivity to support Agile Combat Employment (ACE) and Air Force Forces Generation (AFFORGEN) initiatives. This ensures that warfighters can access classified data in austere environments without relying on traditional High Assurance IP Encryptor devices.

Operational System Development focuses on the development, prototyping, and deployment of Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) solutions. SD-WAN technology is intended to transport mission-critical content across nodes via both government and commercial communication paths, including space, cellular, wireless, and fiber networks. The SD-WAN routing layer is a key component, enabling secure and flexible data movement to deter adversary intrusions and support distributed edge intelligence and command and control (C2) on-the-move.

In FY2024, EIT CONNECT activities concentrated on the deployment, connection, and testing of an operational SD-WAN network prototype, with a particular focus on the Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) region. This initial deployment was designed to demonstrate distributed edge intelligence and scalable network capability, which could be adapted for use across any DAF or Department of Defense (DoD) installation or weapon system. The program also aligns with the DAF Chief Information Officer's (CIO) vision of creating a Black Fabric a resilient, software-defined transport infrastructure that allows multiple providers to transmit data across multiple classification levels, moving away from the traditional 1 fiber, 1 network, 1 classification approach.

For FY2025, the program's goals include designing, installing, and configuring hardware and software SD-WAN solutions specifically for United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) operations. Key objectives for this phase are to provide Global Teleport (voice) services, pilot alternate connectivity solutions, and integrate tactical satellite communications into Air Force networks. These enhancements are intended to support both peacetime and wartime operations by mitigating adversary threats to critical enterprise information technology infrastructure and ensuring continuity of mission operations.

The acquisition strategy for EIT CONNECT involves the use of firm-fixed price contracts to deliver resilient networking capabilities in the PACAF and USAFE theaters. This approach is intended to ensure cost control and accountability while deploying advanced networking solutions. The program also allows for the inclusion of necessary civilian pay expenses to manage, execute, and deliver weapon system capability, although no such expenses were allocated in FY2024 or forecasted for FY2025 within this program element.

The schedule for EIT CONNECT includes several key milestones. The SD-WAN effort for PACAF began in the third quarter of FY2024 and is scheduled to conclude in the second quarter of FY2025. The SD-WAN pilot for USAFE starts in the second quarter of FY2025 and runs through the second quarter of FY2026. Global Teleport Services and satellite communications integration are planned from the second quarter of FY2025 through the fourth quarter of FY2026. These activities collectively support the broader goal of providing distributed, resilient, and secure communications for Air Force operations worldwide.