Full Combat Mission Training

Full Combat Mission Training (PE 0207701F) is a program element within the Air Force's Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) budget, focused on advancing operational systems development for combat training. The primary goal is to provide comprehensive Live, Virtual, and Constructive (LVC) simulation capabilities through the Distributed Mission Operations Center (DMOC). These capabilities are designed to prepare Air Force, joint service, and coalition warfighters for Joint All-Domain Command & Control (JADC2) operations across air, land, sea, space, and cyber domains. The DMOC supports theater-level, full-spectrum combat training by integrating over 40 geographically separated LVC locations and more than 50 systems, enabling realistic, interoperable training environments.

Distributed Mission Operations Capability/Battlespace Systems Development is a key objective under this program. The DMOC continuously upgrades and enhances simulation systems, tools, and environment generators to incorporate emerging technologies and evolving training requirements. This includes development of the Environment Generator, DMO Tool Development, and Simulator Enhancement. A partnership with the US Naval Air Warfare Center-Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) advances the Next Generation Threat System (NGTS), which serves as the primary environment generator for both Blue and Red Air in DMOC exercises. Planned activities for upcoming fiscal years include redesigning legacy DMO tools, enhancing NGTS source code, exploring cloud-based software development, and integrating new modeling and simulation technologies.

Assessment & Authorization (A&A)/Software Certification is another critical component of the program. The DMOC is responsible for defining cybersecurity requirements, supporting integration and testing, conducting systems engineering, and ensuring software certification in compliance with the Risk Management Framework (RMF) and continuous monitoring protocols. Efforts include cross-domain information sharing rule set development, load sharing, and testing, as well as integration and certification of tools such as the DMOC Replay Tool, Dr. J, and DIS Filter. The program also supports Air Force Network Integration Center (AFNIC) software certification and develops solutions for secure information sharing in multinational exercises such as Virtual Flag: Coalition and RED KITE.

Distributed Training Sites & Systems Integration focuses on establishing interoperability among DMOC, operational units, and modeling & simulation facilities. The objective is to resolve technical challenges so that all exercise participants can interact seamlessly within the DMO environment. The program supports the integration of new sites and systems each year, based on emerging requirements from higher headquarters and Combatant Commanders. Planned activities include developing LVC concepts for Virtual Flag events, expanding support for the Chairman, Joint Chief of Staff events, and increasing the number of small-scale, joint and coalition training exercises.

The acquisition strategy for Full Combat Mission Training relies on two primary contracts: the Infrastructure, Development, and Engineering (IDE) contract and the Command and Control Technical Support Contract (C2TSC). The IDE contract, managed by Northrop Grumman at Kirtland AFB, develops and upgrades DMOC tools, systems, and simulators. The C2TSC, managed by RiverTech, LLC, provides technical requirements development and acceptance testing. Military Interdepartmental Purchase Requests (MIPRs) fund external development efforts, such as NGTS enhancements at NAWCAD. These contracts ensure continuous evolution and integration of new technologies and standards into DMOC training environments.

Funding for Full Combat Mission Training reflects adjustments based on congressional actions and program priorities. For the upcoming fiscal year, congressional reductions impacted the budget due to contract delays in wargaming and simulation centers. Funding increases in the following year support expanded software development and testing activities. The program also includes minor management services and civilian pay expenses required to execute and deliver weapon system capabilities, though these are generally budgeted in other program elements.