AFA 2019: Multi Domain Operations are all about the “connective tissue,” as the Air Force rushes to test and field its building blocks, says Air Force acquisition czar Will Roper. Even after a full day of interviews and meetings, Roper’s enthusiasm for transforming the Air Force into a “software company” remains undimmed, as you can see in this video.

XQ-58A Valkyrie “loyal wingman” drone, built by Kratos for Air Force Research Lab

Roper says the Air Force will be moving its internal software development “factories” like Kessel Run, and all their data, into the cloud, under the newly awarded Cloud One program to manage those efforts — within 60 days. In just four months, the service will undertake its first test of the critical Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS) — linking a “Skyborg” drone, an F-22, and F-35 and a tablet on the ground.