DAF Completes Key Prototype Evaluations for Collaborative Combat Aircraft Command and Control Enclave

  • Published
  • By Agile Develeopment Office
The Department of the Air Force successfully concluded prototype evaluations for the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) Portable Command and Control Enclave, or C2E, marking a pivotal milestone in advancing the tactical control of semi-autonomous systems, delivering greater operational agility for the future fight.

This accomplishment represents a major win for acquisition transformation, demonstrating the department’s ability to rapidly identify, test and field crucial command-and-control capabilities to the warfighter at the speed of relevance.

The prototype evaluations featured ground operations demonstrations from leading industry partners. To ensure these highly portable command-and-control systems can be rapidly deployed and operated anywhere in the world, evaluators rigorously tested their mobility and footprint in simulated austere environments. Following these physical mobility assessments, vendors executed dynamic demonstrations specifically designed to showcase the software agility and seamless connectivity of their respective systems.

This initial evaluation phase serves as the critical first step toward selecting the C2E integrator. Ultimately, the selected system will support Agile Combat Employment operations at the Experimental Operations Unit. Once in the hands of the warfighter, these systems will integrate directly with production aircraft, ensuring service members maintain a decisive advantage in contested environments. This rapid, hands-on approach is central to the DAF’s acquisition reform efforts.

"Getting prototypes into the hands of our operational and acquisitions warfighters for a swift, combined evaluation is a direct embodiment of acquisition transformation," stated Col. Eric Reagan, Director of the Agile Development Office. "This partnership allows us to accelerate the fielding of the best-value capabilities to the Department of War."

The demonstration was hosted by the Ohio Air National Guard’s 178th Wing at Springfield Air National Guard Base, which provided an ideal operational setting for testing these next-generation systems. Personnel from the 178th Wing integrated seamlessly to allow the foundational support, facilities and manpower necessary to test these emerging capabilities under realistic ground conditions.

"The 178th Wing's foundational support was key to the success of this phase, allowing our evaluators and industry partners to focus entirely on technical performance," Lt Col Gregory Bieler, Materiel Leader CCA Software, Autonomy and Teaming, said. "This successful collaboration establishes a strong foundation and opens the door for future integration and testing as we continue to mature the C2E and CCA program."

Insights and data gathered from these demonstrations will accelerate the overarching C2E acquisition strategy and inform the next stages of the C2E selection process. Building on this momentum, a second prototype phase will begin soon, challenging vendors to refine and demonstrate their C2E cloud capabilities, bringing the Air Force one step closer to equipping the force with its next-generation tactical network.