Rapid Cyber Acquisition

The Rapid Cyber Acquisition (RCA) program is a United States Air Force initiative under Program Element (PE) 0305881F, designed to accelerate the delivery of new cyber capabilities in response to rapidly evolving threats and operational needs. The primary objective of RCA is to provide both materiel (hardware, software, and tool development) and non-materiel (technical support) solutions that enable the Air Force to maintain a technological edge in the cyberspace domain. This initiative is housed within Budget Activity 7, Operational Systems Development, which focuses on upgrading systems that are already fielded or approved for full-rate production.

The RCA program specifically aims to expedite the development, prototyping, integration, and transition of cyber capabilities. Its goals include supporting Combatant and Joint Force Commanders with up-to-date, tailored cyber tools that can be quickly fielded to address emerging threats. The program leverages collaboration with other military services and government agencies, integrating Air Force-developed technologies and operational capabilities to maximize efficiency and effectiveness in cyber operations.

A key component of the RCA program is the development and integration of software and hardware systems to support command, control, and communications (C3) protection and multi-mission cyber operations. Activities under this effort include developmental testing, operational evaluation, risk reduction for emerging technologies, and the transition of laboratory-developed capabilities into operational environments. The program also encompasses studies, analyses, pilot programs, and demonstrations to validate new concepts and technologies.

The RCA initiative employs a flexible acquisition strategy that allows solutions to enter the process at any phase of the acquisition life cycle. This strategy is designed to rapidly address urgent operational requirements by providing a secure DevOps environment for quick reaction fielding of cyber capabilities. The program supports rapid prototyping and integration efforts, ensuring that new tools and technologies can be delivered at the pace required by modern warfare.

In fiscal year 2024, the RCA program received funding, with no additional funding planned for fiscal years 2025 and beyond under this program element. In FY 2025, the efforts under RCA were transferred to another program element focused on Distributed Cyber Warfare Operations, specifically to a project dedicated to Air Force Offensive Cyber Operations. This transfer was intended to consolidate Air Force offensive cyber development activities, streamlining efforts and resources under a unified program structure.

The RCA program also includes provisions for civilian pay expenses required to manage and execute weapon system capabilities, although no such expenses were recorded or forecasted for FY 2024 and FY 2025 within this program element. The inclusion of civilian pay expenses ensures that the necessary workforce is available to support the rapid development and deployment of cyber solutions, supplementing other Air Force program elements dedicated to personnel costs.