Space Force IT, Data Analytics, Digital Solutions

Mission — Space Force IT, Data Analytics, Digital Solutions source

Digital Engineering (DE) is one of four United States Space Force's (USSF) Focus areas in the Service's digital transformation and is a key enabler. The Space Force was born as a digitally driven organization to meet the need to respond faster to global threats and to act as a force multiplier for the lean Service. The "USSF Vision for a Digital Service," May 2021, signed by the Chief of Space Operations, states that "A key aim of [Digital Engineering] is to manage the complexity of contemporary weapon system acquisition as well as accelerate and modernize the entire capability development lifecycle—from conception to deployment to operations and sustainment.” The USSF Digital Engineering Ecosystem (DEE) stakeholders are from across the capability development lifecycle. Users include engineers, program managers, force designers, requirements professionals, finance professionals, contracting professionals, logisticians, acquisition leaders and decision makers, mission partners, industry connections, and all other participants in the Capability Development Lifecycle. The Department of Defense's (DoD) Defense Acquisition University definition of DEE is, "The interconnected infrastructure, environment, and methodology (process, methods, and tools) used to store, access, analyze, and visualize data and models to address the needs of stakeholders." The current funding profile will demonstrate a robust capability for approximately 2000 users with the goal to scale up to accommodate users across the USSF. This includes cloud-hosted and on-premises virtual machines with integrated applications tailored to users for access on users' desks through the web as well as demonstration of secure thin client and other user devices for user access. The modernized capability buildout is for all security classification domains from Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) to Secret, Top Secret (TS), Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) and Special Access Program (SAP). For the SAP deployment, the program also provides initial capability for necessary secure lab space to conduct capability development using the toolsets. Program Element 1203010SF, Space Force Information Technology (IT), Data Analytics, Digital Solutions, creates the foundation for the USSF's digital transformation, which will streamline acquisition, cybersecurity, life cycle management, and operations. This entails three distinct projects, unified in their goal to fully exploit modern information technology: Project 645620, Digital Engineering, develops a computing environment to support the digital engineering needs of program offices across Space Systems Command (SSC), the product of which would serve programs throughout their life cycles. It also develops and prototypes Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities to be utilized to meet emerging needs. Project 646017, Developmental Information Technology Infrastructure (DITI), delivers the tools, policies, and processes that program offices across SSC utilize to design their systems to meet cybersecurity requirements and then earn cyber certification. Project 646602, Integrated Operations Networking (ION), leverages existing network infrastructure, connecting it and enhancing its capability when needed, to meet the needs of critical kill webs. The FY 2026 request was reduced by $0.804M for Advisory and Assistance Services to promote efficiencies and advance the policies of the Administration in alignment with Executive Order 14222, "Implementing the President's Department of Government Efficiency Cost Efficiency Initiative". This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver Space Force IT, Data Analytics, Digital Solutions capability. The use of such program funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program elements 1206392SF and 1206398SF. This effort is in Budget Activity 4, Advanced Component Development and Prototypes (ACD&P), because efforts are necessary to evaluate integrated technologies, representative modes or prototype systems in a high fidelity and realistic operating environment.

Mission — Digital Engineering source

Project 645620, Digital Engineering (DE), is delivering the Digital Engineering Ecosystem (DEE). DEE is a cloud-based, remotely accessible, Multi-Level-Security (MLS) suite of applications, environments, and infrastructure that is easily scalable and provides the means to develop capabilities, store, access, architect, analyze, and visualize data and models throughout the acquisition life cycle, from requirements planning, development, and production, through sustainment. DEE provides a unified enterprise environment for Space Systems Command (SSC) program offices, operations squadrons, other government stakeholders, and hardware and software vendors, enabling responsive, threat-informed product development, testing, deployment, training, mission planning, and on-orbit anomaly resolution. Key capabilities include: (1) Connecting multiple Digital Threads—a framework to link all the digital information about a space system, from initial design to operations, into a single, accessible system—integrating organizations such as members of the intel community, Space Warfighting Analysis Center (SWAC), and Space Operations Command (SpOC) to leverage threat models for smarter force design, requirements development, solution design, acquisition, and operations planning; (2) Connecting Classified Systems—facilitating seamless multi-domain engineering activities across multiple classification levels (e.g., CUI to TS, SCI, SAP); (3) Eliminating Redundant Systems—standardizing tools to enhance inte.g.ration and collaboration; (4) Achieving Cost Efficiencies— reducing costs through enterprise-level capabilities and economies of scale; (5) Enhancing Data-Driven Decisions—providing real-time accurate, relevant information for informed leadership decisions; and (6) Supporting Space Force's Digital Transformation—providing the applications and environment to advance the Chief of Space Operations' (CSO) vision of the Space Force as a "Digital Service," as outlined in the May 2021, U.S. Space Force Vision for a Digital Service. DEE supports DE by connecting acquisition, test, training, and operational data, models, and activities at the speed of relevance through the delivery of a hybrid cloud MLS modeling and data ecosystem. DEE establishes Authoritative Sources of Truth (ASOTs) and Single Sources of Truth (SSOTs) by incorporating data integration across multiple trusted sources. DEE is designed to connect engineers, program managers, force designers, requirements managers, logisticians, developmental and operational testers, training instructors and schoolhouses, operational commanders, senior decision makers, mission partners, industry and academia, and all other participants in the Capability Development Lifecycle. The DEE is designed to integrate information technology (IT), system security, software development, and data/network modernization to accelerate and modernize the USSF capability development lifecycle. It equips users with tools to enhance collaboration, user experience, and integration with mission partners and industry. DEE helps to assess technical risks posed by adversary threats by analyzing system and enterprise-level risks and incorporates agile software practices to scale platforms and infrastructure based on digital thread mission needs. The DEE provides deliberate data exposure and "normalizes” the data to make it meaningful and useful for any business or mission use cases. The DEE effort includes multiple DEE prototype solutions collectively known as the Digital Engineering Integrated Cloud-based Environment (DEICE) Tech Stack. These prototypes currently serve as the interim Digital Services Ecosystem (DSE) for USSF Capability Development as a cloud-based, remotely accessible, interconnected MLS infrastructure, and provides the technical methodology used to store, access, analyze, and visualize evolving systems' data and models throughout their acquisition lifecycles. This project will continue to operate DEICE prototypes with the goal of including or retiring the prototype solutions into the DEE enduring solution based on their achieved capabilities. Additionally, this project funds science, technology, and research study efforts supporting critical operational challenges and collaborating on fundamental advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI). These efforts include creating new algorithms, technologies, analysis tools, and solutions, and informs Department of Defense decision making on future force structures and capabilities. In one line of effort, this project funds a variety of graduate and post-graduate studies, projects and algorithms to operationalize AI by addressing senior leader sponsored, real-world challenges in Space Domain Awareness (SDA), Command & Control (C2), Advanced Space Training and other missions using the Department of the Air Force-Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) AI Accelerator. This line of effort has and will continue to transition AI algorithms and tools to USSF operational units. In another line of effort, this project improves how space forces are represented and modeled in Joint and other Services' wargaming and analysis to inform their force structure decisions and operational concepts.

Mission — SSC Developmental IT Infrastructure source

Project 646017, Space Systems Command (SSC) Developmental Information Technology Infrastructure (DITI) provides support to enterprise cybersecurity integration, cyber capability development, and vulnerability management across SSC program offices. The project provides program offices support through their Authorizing Official (AO) and Risk Management Framework (RMF) cyber assessment team, Zero Trust (ZT), cryptography program alignment, data and information availability, supply chain risk management capabilities, and software management. Until FY 2026 when it transitions to a separate project, DITI also supported United States Space Force (USSF) operational needs with the Integrated Operations Networking (ION) effort. The USSF's ION effort is a critical component of the Space Force's mission to enable the Battle Management, Command, Control and Communications (BMC3) warfighter missions. ION will provide a secure, reliable, multi-classification data transport backbone across critical kill webs designed to defend against adversary operations. DITI develops and implements cybersecurity tools and processes and alignment of cybersecurity policies and guidance though several efforts. The DITI project Directorate provides support to cybersecurity AOs and RMF cyber assessment teams for Authorization to Operate (ATO) decisions. DITI develops ZT strategies and architectures, executing a ZT pilot program to address legacy and future space systems that establish and mitigate threats against infrastructure. The Cryptography Modernization effort builds a central repository to track all crypto requirements to identify gaps, program risks, mitigation plans, and status tracking across SSC, per Department of the Air Force Manual (DAFMAN) 17-1302. This project's efforts focus on developmental cybersecurity and support generation and alignment of cybersecurity policy and guidance, cyber resiliency capability development, vulnerability management, data accessibility with automation, and program protection. DITI helps assess technical risks that operational users experience in SSC program offices or encounter by understanding the System and Enterprise-level risks posed by threats based on deployment and gathered feedback across SSC. Cybersecurity regulation and directives are synthesized, deconstructed, and applied to best determine implementation and standardization across various functions and mission sets. Capability development efforts include implementation of DoD cybersecurity policies and guidance such as DoD's Cyber Strategy, ZT Strategy, and capabilities. This includes efforts for enabling ZT capabilities in Space Systems and implementation of SSC ZT Guidance and Policy via pilot programs for both legacy and future ground and space systems in accordance with Executive Order 14028, "Improving the Nation's Cybersecurity,”, which requires federal agencies to establish plans to drive adoption of ZT Architecture. The projects pursued for ZT keeps pace with increasing cyber threats and modernizes existing infrastructure into SSC programs for mitigation against existing and future vulnerabilities. DITI Developmental Cybersecurity effort will deploy and enhance SSC Supply Chain Risk Management (SCRM) capabilities through development of SCRM AI/ML tools that will illuminate and monitor the space defense industrial base and provide real-time risk analysis to SSC Program Executive Offices (PEOs). DITI's Program Protection effort develops databases, tools, and processes to organize information, reduce program-level redundancies, and clarify and update user guides, policy, and contract language to mitigate foreign threats and commercial risks to SSC programs. The effort also develops agile information access and authentication capabilities for the space operations environment to ensure information availability to combat against degradation and disruption. DITI produces and defines architectures for Data and AI. This provides context and governance for human machine teaming, and support for operations in the information environment, which is a key consideration in acquisition planning. DITI also contains the function of the SSC Command Data and AI Officer (CDAO). The CDAO explores pilots for the use of AI applications to provide decision aids, automation, and computer decision support to make effective decisions in a complicated environment and reduce cognitive load. DITI will test artificial intelligence (AI)/Human Machine Teaming pilots and approaches to augment Defensive Cyber Operators (DCO) capability and increase resilience of USSF systems against cyber threats. The Supply Chain Risk Management effort uses a commercial platform that brings public and private data sources with commercial artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) tools. This platform provides supply chain vendor vulnerabilities that could jeopardize mission capability. The Software and IT effort will deliver authorized cloud-based environments and expand digital mobility programs, providing more flexible, modernized, and capable IT mechanisms for the workforce to enable and propel mission success. A software management system will be created to foster superior software development and drive adoption of the industry standard Development-Security-Operations (DevSecOps) approach, accelerating program schedules and reducing security risk to space assets. The DITI Cryptography Modernization effort advocates for crypto requirements across SSC. The Crypto Modernization effort centralizes and streamlines crypto processes for SSC program offices through creating policy and guidance, strategy, and development to meet future program requirements and expand to meet cryptography requirements at an enterprise level. SSC program offices are required to provide cryptographic requirements to the Crypto Modernization Office per Department of the Air Force Manual (DAFMAN) 17-1302. The DITI Security Control Assessor (SCA) provides recommendation(s) to the Approving Official on residual risk rating and authorization decisions in line with National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) compliance and Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI) 8510.01 (RMF). DITI is the authoritative source for enterprise tools and applications (ETAs), with effective and centrally managed licensing systems, a streamlined procurement process, fully migrated and accredited cloud-based environments. DITI provides strategic guidance on software matters, policies to foster superior software development, and drive adoption for Agile and Development-Security-Operations (DevSecOps) methodologies to revolutionize acquisition practices. A robust network infrastructure, tailored for the USSF, will demonstrate fast and reliable communication, support enterprise AI capabilities, and scale digital mobility architecture guided by Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) v4 methodologies and a centralized funding model. The DITI Developmental Cybersecurity effort also furnishes internal management of requirements, funding, contract actions, and PM support/training relating to the SSC S6. Lastly, DITI hosts the Cyber Halo Innovation Research Program (CHIRP). This program provides prospective students across various educational partners a two- year guided opportunity that leads them directly to critical cybersecurity careers that include infrastructure, the military sector, and various levels of government.

Mission — Integrated Operations Networking source

In FY 2026, all funds for Integrated Operations Networking (ION) are transferred from Project 646017 to 646602. The USSF's Integrated Operations Networking (ION) effort is a critical component of the Space Force's mission to enable the Battle Management, Command, Control, and Communications (BMC3) warfighter missions. ION will provide a secure, reliable, multi-classification data transport backbone across critical kill webs designed to defend against adversary operations. This ION communications backbone will provide high bandwidth with low latency for essential capabilities, connecting with the data platform, Unified Data Library, to ensure data exposure and dissemination occur using ION's resilient connectivity from sensors to C2 centers and tactical units. ION will integrate commercially available information technology (IT) capabilities to minimize government-unique tools, reducing technology debt and increasing agility against cyber threats. The ION program will prioritize the closure of priority kill-web gaps, as identified in the Space Force's Digital Services Ecosystem Strategic Requirements Document. The program will focus on developing a secure, reliable, and multi-classification transport layer to support space missions, with a emphasis on direct connection between all elements of force packages, establishing a special access program (SAP)-level network with overlays, and developing high-speed connectivity and high resilience to C2S. The ION program will also investigate opportunities to leverage existing efforts, such as MeshONE-T to support the development of ION. The ION program will be executed in accordance with the DoD's Cyber Strategy and the Space Force's cyber security policies and guidance. The program will implement Zero Trust (ZT) capabilities, cryptography modernization, and supply chain risk management (SCRM) to ensure the security and resilience of the ION network. The program will also explore the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications to provide decision aids, automation, and computer decision support to make effective decisions in a complicated environment and reduce cognitive load. The increased funding in FY 2026 will enable the program to maintain a steady pace of execution throughout the year, ensuring that the Space Force can leverage the ION capability to enhance its mission effectiveness. The ION program will provide a critical capability to the Space Force, enabling the service to operate in a contested environment and to defend against adversary operations. The program will be executed in a manner that is consistent with the Space Force's priorities, including the development of a digital engineering ecosystem, the implementation of zero trust capabilities, and the modernization of cryptography and supply chain risk management.

Accomplishments & Planned Programs (5)