Acquisition

The new Air Force Ones are late, so the old planes need more cash, official Says

Air Force acquisition chief cites 2- to 3-year delay, which Boeing blames on subcontractor and supply problems.

Cybersecurity

Why the USAF's IT chief is 'bullish' on open source

While there's no such thing as completely secure software, open source can make it stronger through the "power of the crowd," said Lauren Knausenberger, the Air Force's chief information officer.

Cybersecurity

Defense officials press lawmakers for a 2022 appropriation

Defense officials warned lawmakers that some programs and tech efforts could be delayed or eliminated if Congress fails to pass a 2022 defense spending bill soon.

Cybersecurity

Why self-sufficiency is key to fostering data literacy in the Air Force

The Air Force wants to improve data literacy and culture, so it's creating a cadre of "citizen analysts" and communities of interest to build and then spread their knowledge.

Modernization

Air Force Chief Software Office Prepares ‘Big Questions’ for Next CSO

A bit has unfolded since the branch's first chief software officer, Nic Chaillan, left the government earlier this year.

Acquisition

Biden taps former USAF buyer to lead DOD acquisition

The White House has nominated former Air Force acquisition chief William LaPlante to be the Pentagon’s top buyer.

Acquisition

Nominee to lead USAF acquisition names software, IT as top priorities

Improving how the service acquires software and IT systems, while making DevSecOps the norm ranks among the top priorities for Andrew Hunter, the White House nominee to be assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition, technology and logistics.

Modernization

Keeping up with software cadence at the Air Force Test Center

Maj. Gen. Evan Dertien, commander of the Air Force Test Center, said the organization wants rapid software update capabilities for the USAF fleet, but that approach won't work in every use case.

Modernization

How the Air Force is tackling electronic warfare challenges

The Air Force is on high alert when it comes to electromagnetic spectrum threats. But extensive system updates pose a risk.

Cybersecurity

Air Force secretary mulls space acquisitions nominees

Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said candidate interviews are underway for the space acquisition system secretary position and he expects to make a recommendation to the defense secretary and White House soon.

People

Telework is the new normal for Air Force Materiel Command

Air Force Materiel Command is preparing to have half of its headquarters personnel working remotely at least some of the time, Commander Gen. Arnold Bunch said.

Cybersecurity

Zero trust, EMS top Air Force cyber priorities

Lt. Gen. Timothy Haugh, the commander of the 16th Air Force, said implementing zero trust principles was "foundational" to improve data use and mitigate vulnerabilities from the defense industry supply chain.

People

Air Force chief software officer to resign

The Air Force's first chief software officer, Nicolas Chaillan, will step down from his role in October, citing lack of funding and being "unempowered to fix basic IT issues."

Modernization

'Democratizing data' and the promise of JADC2

Lt. Gen. S. Clinton Hinote, the deputy chief of staff for strategy, integration and requirements for the Air Force, said the global shift to make data readily available could have a profound impact on military operations.

Modernization

Air Force wants $800 million for enterprise IT as a service

The Air Force is looking to boost its enterprise IT services with capabilities that can support Joint All Domain Command and Control efforts

Acquisition

Lawmakers press White House for space acquisition chief

House appropriators lamented the absence of a dedicated space acquisition chief, challenging the new administration to make a nomination soon.

Acquisition

DOD seeks clean acquisition data for better policy oversight

Shelby Oakley, the director for contracting and national security acquisition for the Government Accountability Office, said the ability to conduct data-driven oversight was the Pentagon's acquisition office's biggest challenge.

People

Biden selects former Army acquisition exec for DOD's top tech job

The White House announced it would nominate Heidi Shyu, former assistant secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology, to be DOD's undersecretary for research and engineering.

Modernization

Space Command moves for tighter cyber integration

U.S. Space Command is standing up a dedicated joint cyber center to improve integration with U.S. Cyber Command.

Digital Government

Army kicks off first major test to thwart small drone attacks

The Army is putting its new counter small drone strategy to the test with its first demonstration at Yuma Proving Ground, focusing on how to limit damage when facing direct threats.