International Intel Tech & Architectures

The International Intel Tech & Architectures program, as outlined in Line Item 832050 of the Air Force's FY 2026 budget request, is designed to enhance the United States' capability to share intelligence information with NATO, allied, and coalition partners. The program is managed under the Air Force's Other Procurement appropriation, specifically within the Electronics and Telecommunications Equipment budget activity focused on Intelligence Programs. Its primary objective is to provide the U.S. component of the multi-national Battlefield Information Collection and Exploitation Systems (BICES) with a collaborative environment for processing and disseminating critical intelligence data among mission partners.

A key goal of the program is the procurement of communications and electronic equipment, including support accessories and specialized systems, to deliver a robust and dynamic suite of capabilities for intelligence sharing. This includes investments in hardware and software to support the US BICES, US BICES Extended (US BICES-X), and the Trusted Network Environment (TNE).

The US BICES-X system is a multi-level, secure platform that leverages releasable elements of the Defense Intelligence Information Enterprise framework. It supports intelligence operations and dissemination across the Department of Defense (DoD), Combat Support Agencies, and multiple Combatant Commands, under the oversight of the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security (OUSD(I&S)).

The Trusted Network Environment (TNE) is another critical component of this line item, serving as an Enterprise Cross Domain Solution (ECDS) that connects numerous networks, partner nations, and communities of interest within four operational TNEs. The TNE enables secure and efficient sharing of operational intelligence in a secret and below releasable environment, enhancing collaboration and interoperability between U.S. forces and trusted allies.

The program's funding supports the procurement of cross-domain solutions, communications infrastructure, network equipment, storage and backup systems, encryption equipment, and software licenses necessary to maintain and improve TNE capabilities.

The Mission Partner Environment (MPE) is also supported by this budget line, with US BICES/US BICES-X designated as the enduring intelligence and information sharing component for MPE. The MPE enables secure sharing of operational intelligence and facilitates collaboration between U.S. forces and multinational partners, thereby increasing overall combat effectiveness by leveraging the capabilities and information of all participants.

The FY 2026 funding specifically targets hardware and software acquisitions to support the rationalization, consolidation, and modernization of BICES, US BICES, US BICES-X, and TNE as core infrastructure for the intelligence component of the DoD MPE.

Procurement activities under this line item are planned and executed through contracts with industry partners. The procurement schedule for FY 2026 includes the acquisition of electronic and telecommunication equipment, supporting the continued modernization and enhancement of the intelligence sharing enterprise. The program's production and delivery schedules are structured to ensure timely deployment of new capabilities to support ongoing and future intelligence operations.

The justification for this investment centers on the need to maintain and improve secure, interoperable intelligence sharing environments that are critical for joint and coalition operations. By modernizing core systems and infrastructure, the program seeks to address evolving threats, technological advancements, and the increasing complexity of multinational intelligence collaboration. The funding supports both non-recurring and recurring costs associated with hardware, software, and support services necessary to sustain and advance the operational effectiveness of the U.S. and its mission partners.