On the heels of the “fix our computers” movement, the U.S. Air Force is reinvigorating its efforts to centralize and optimize the branch’s information technology environment, improve the user experience for service members and usher in an era of digital transformation.
The Air Force is working on an “integrated warfighting network,” or IWN, that aims to expand the service’s IT capabilities to the edge and equip troops engaged in agile combat employment operations in the field with the ability to make informed command and control decisions.
Preston Dunlap, the Department of the Air Force’s chief architect, said in a February webinar – hosted by former Chief Software Officer Nicolas Chaillan – that the IWN will finally combine enterprise IT and warfighting IT; two elements that Dunlap explained have been “almost totally separated” until this point.
Dunlap is slated to keynote the Second Annual Air Force IT: Plans and Priorities Forum hosted by GovCon Wire Events on March 23. Registrations are open now.
“Together you have integrated warfighting that allows you to be able to go to various strips in Europe or various islands in the Pacific, take that same mobile-computer-laptop-slash-tablet that you’ve got in your office…and that’s the same device that you use at the classified level going out to operate with in the field,” Dunlap described.
The network is scheduled to be fielded in the summer of 2022.
IWN’s imminent launch aims to widen and fortify the Air Force’s digital infrastructure during a period of particularly high geopolitical tension. Gen. Charles Q. “CQ” Brown, the Air Force’s chief of staff, said during Wednesday’s McAleese Defense Programs Conference that the Air Force’s lack of modern IT infrastructure poses a “foundational risk” to the United States and its national security.
GovCon Wire Events’ highly-anticipated Air Force IT: Plans and Priorities Forum will bring together leaders from the Air Force and its industry partners to discuss the urgent challenges, opportunities and strategies surrounding the service branch’s enterprise IT as the topic continues to gain importance and relevance in today’s current battlespace.
Lauren Knausenberger, chief information officer for the Air Force and 2022 Wash100 Award recipient, is scheduled to open the timely forum with a keynote address and a question and answer session, followed by expert panel discussions.
Register now for the March 23 event!
