The U.S. Air Force is embarking on a major modernization effort for its Air Operations Centers (AOCs), the nerve centers responsible for commanding, controlling, and coordinating aircraft movements globally. The initiative, announced February 18th by the Air Force’s Kessel Run software factory, aims to integrate cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cloud computing to enhance decision-making and operational effectiveness.
This next generation of AOCs will focus on improving planners’ ability to synthesize and visualize the vast amounts of flight, intelligence, and threat data received around the clock. The goal is to provide leaders with a clearer, more comprehensive operational picture, enabling faster and more informed responses to evolving situations. The Air Force anticipates releasing a request for information from industry later this month, with a contract award targeted for June 2027.
The 21 AOCs operated by the Air Force are officially designated as weapon systems under the AN/USQ-163 Falconer system. Currently, a $374 million contract awarded to SAIC in 2022 sustains and modernizes these centers, but that agreement is set to expire in the summer of 2027, prompting the need for this new program, according to DefenseScoop.
Building on Existing Modernization Efforts
The AOC system relies on multiple software programs to gather and present intelligence and sensor data to the Airmen who manage command and control functions – identifying targets, creating Air Tasking Orders, and assessing mission outcomes. The current fielded version is Increment 10.1. For years, the Air Force has been implementing upgrades, initially through traditional contractors and more recently through in-house software factories like Kessel Run, known as Block 20.
At the core of Block 20 is the Kessel Run All Domain Operations Suite (KRADOS), a cloud-based system that consolidates various software programs into a unified, web-like interface for planning refueling operations, fighter and bomber movements, and targeting options. KRADOS has already begun deployment to AOCs, with further improvements and integrations planned, as noted by the Pentagon’s Director of Operational Test & Evaluation. Supplementing KRADOS is AppTX, a program focused on transitioning existing software applications to cloud computing.
According to Air Force budget documents, AppTX is establishing a common baseline that provides commanders with a consolidated operational picture – a “single pane of glass” integrating multiple software programs onto one screen, eliminating the need to switch between numerous monitors.
Focus Areas for the Next Generation
While the February 18th announcement doesn’t explicitly mention Block 20, it emphasizes the need to build upon existing efforts and explore new technologies to further enhance AOC capabilities. Kessel Run has identified four key areas of interest for the next-generation program:
- Artificial intelligence and machine learning to accelerate decision-making
- Data fusion and visualization from multiple sources
- Advanced cybersecurity measures
- Cloud-native architectures
Contractors responding to the upcoming request for information will also need to address the challenges posed by the evolving cyber threat landscape and the complexities of integrating legacy systems with modern technologies, as highlighted in the announcement.
Timeline for Implementation
The Air Force is pursuing a relatively swift timeline for this modernization effort, particularly when compared to typical Pentagon acquisition processes. The planned schedule includes:
- Request for Information release: February 2026
- Industry engagement and feedback: March 2026
- Draft Request for Proposal release: August 2026
- Final Request for Proposal release: November 2026
- Contract award: June 2027
This aggressive timeline reflects the Air Force’s commitment to rapidly fielding new capabilities and maintaining a competitive edge in the increasingly complex global security environment. The program’s success will depend on effective collaboration between Kessel Run, industry partners, and the Airmen who rely on the AOCs to execute critical missions. As the Air Force looks to the future, this modernization effort represents a significant step towards enhancing its command and control capabilities and ensuring its continued air dominance.
Further details regarding the program, including specific requirements and evaluation criteria, will be released in the upcoming Request for Information. Interested parties are encouraged to monitor SAM.gov for updates and opportunities to engage with Kessel Run.