International Intelligence Technology and Architectures

The International Intelligence Technology and Architectures (IITA) program is a key Air Force initiative under the Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) budget, focused on enhancing intelligence information sharing capabilities among the United States, NATO, allied, and coalition forces. The primary goal of IITA is to oversee, manage, and provide the U.S. component of the multi-national Battlefield Information Collection and Exploitation Systems (BICES), ensuring a collaborative environment for processing and disseminating critical intelligence information. This program supports both operational and developmental needs, enabling secure, agile, and scalable intelligence exchanges across multiple domains and partner nations.

US BICES and US BICES-X are central components within the IITA program. US BICES-X is a multi-level, secure system that leverages releasable elements of the Defense Intelligence Information Enterprise (DI2E) framework, supporting a full spectrum of intelligence operations and dissemination across the Department of Defense (DoD), Combat Support Agencies (CSA), and Combatant Commands (CCMDs). The objectives for US BICES-X include developing and testing specialized equipment and software to deliver robust, dynamic capabilities for intelligence sharing, as well as integrating new technologies to advance the system's effectiveness and reach.

Trusted Network Environment (TNE) is another major focus area, serving as an Enterprise Cross Domain Solution (ECDS) that connects over 65 networks, 85 partner nations, and 69 Communities of Interest (COI) within four federated operational TNE service centers. The TNE's development aims to provide secure, cross-domain connectivity and support for all CCMDs, CSAs, and military services, enabling seamless intelligence sharing in support of coalition operations. The program's objectives include continued development of TNE software, such as cloud-based implementation and virtualized connection methods, and updates to Full Motion Video (FMV) capabilities.

CENTAUR is a specific capability within IITA that provides geospatial intelligence from the Distributed Common Ground System (DCGS) Enterprise to coalition partners through multinational BICES networks. The goal of CENTAUR is to enhance coalition partner operations by enabling access to critical geospatial intelligence, thereby supporting multinational mission requirements. This effort is part of the broader objective to increase database information sharing and interoperability between U.S. and NATO virtual networks in all theaters of operation.

The IITA program also encompasses the integration and modernization of additional intelligence systems, such as the DoD intelligence document exploitation system, the Multi-Domain Dissemination System of Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communications System (JWICS), Secure Internet Protocol Router Network (SIPRNET) access to US BICES, and FMV capabilities. These efforts are designed to support Combatant Commander Integrated Priority Lists, ensuring multi-level security intelligence sharing for both conventional and coalition operations.

Funding for IITA supports research and development activities aimed at modernizing and transforming the US BICES/BICES-X worldwide enterprise, enabling the instantiation or interconnection of any partner network to support any operation. The program utilizes an Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract with General Dynamics Mission Systems (GDMS), and leverages the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) for third-party security assessments. The budget also allows for necessary civilian pay expenses to manage, execute, and deliver weapon system capability, supplementing other related program elements.