The US Air Force is ramping up efforts to acquire advanced technology, including high-tech sensors and artificial intelligence (AI) tools, to strengthen its cyber defence and information warfare capabilities. The 16th Air Force, responsible for overseeing the Air Force’s information warfare operations, has outlined a pressing need for more sophisticated technology to monitor and protect its increasingly complex network of platforms and weapon systems.
Lt. Gen. Thomas Hensley, who took command of the 16th Air Force in August 2024, emphasised the critical requirement for enhanced sensors that can monitor networks for signs of malware. Speaking at the Air Force Association’s Air, Space and Cyber conference on 17th September, he highlighted the need for precise sensing technology to handle the millions of potential security alerts the organisation receives daily.
“We can’t just hire more people to work the sensors and systems,” said Hensley. “We need to better understand our networks and pinpoint key areas where we can deploy precision sensors for persistent monitoring.”
The 16th Air Force, also known as Air Forces Cyber, integrates cyber, electronic warfare, information operations, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR). Since 2017, it has been working through its Phoenix Initiative to collaborate with industry, academia, and government agencies to address these technological challenges. In August 2023, the team held a summit to assess priority gaps and technology needs. This was followed by a deep dive to identify vulnerabilities within its mission sets, such as targeting, cybersecurity, and the Distributed Common Ground System (DCGS), which supports ISR analysis.
With its focus areas identified, the Air Force is now assessing where it can assume risk and where it requires new capabilities, including AI-driven tools to enhance efficiency and responsiveness. Hensley explained that while the service already deploys precision sensors for defensive cyber operations, the increasing interconnectivity of classified and unclassified networks demands even more advanced solutions. “Everything is connected,” he said. “We need layers of different systems for continuous monitoring to detect malware and other potential threats.”
AI and machine learning (ML) technologies are also high on the priority list. Hensley revealed that the 16th Air Force receives around 2.5 million alerts each day indicating possible network compromises. Although high-performance computers assist in processing these alerts, much of the workload still requires human intervention. The aim is to develop AI and ML tools capable of content triage and data analysis, freeing up personnel for more nuanced and complex tasks.
“We’re working with industry and partners to see how we can develop AI/ML tools that allow us to move faster and more efficiently,” Hensley said. “We can’t just add more people to manage this.”
To pursue these new capabilities, the 16th Air Force is exploring the Pentagon’s traditional budget process but is eager to move at a faster pace. The command plans to include these tools in its unfunded requirements list, which allows military services to notify Congress of critical needs not covered in the Department of Defense’s annual budget request. A funding request could be ready as early as next year as part of the Fiscal Year 2026 budget cycle.
However, plans to elevate the 16th Air Force as a service component command could complicate the timeline. This transition, which lacks a set date, would require personnel shifts that might slow the funding request. Despite this, Hensley noted that elevating Air Forces Cyber as a direct report to Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall demonstrates strong institutional support for the mission, potentially unlocking more resources and flexibility in the pursuit of new capabilities.
“That’s sending a clear signal that our secretary of the Air Force is committed to supporting us as much as possible,” Hensley said. “The intent is to ensure we have the resources needed to defend our nation.”
With cyber threats constantly evolving, the 16th Air Force is pushing for the tools and technology required to stay ahead, aiming to bolster its capabilities and protect critical US networks.
Reference: https://www.airforcetimes.com/
