Information Warfare Battlelab

MISSION

The Information Warfare Battlelab (IWBL) is a corps of Information Warfare (IW) experts linked with other Information Warfare organizations that support the full spectrum of Air Force operations by rapidly identifying innovative and superior ways to: employ IW capabilities; organize, train and equip Air Force IW forces; and influence development of IW doctrine and tactics in order to meet current and emerging Air Force missions.

FEATURES

The IWBL is composed of 24 personnel (15 Officers, 8 Enlisted, 1 Civilian). It draws from many career fields: the rated fields (a pilot and navigator), communications and computers, engineering, intelligence, space and administration.

Other Air Force organizations will be tasked to temporarily provide members when their expertise is needed for a particular project. The Battlelab is housed in a 4,000- square- foot facility located within the Air Force Information Warfare Center at Kelly Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.

BACKGROUND

The IWBL is one of six Battlelabs located around the continental United States. Battlelabs were created to identify innovative operations and logistics concepts in order to advance the Air Force's core competencies: Air and Space

Superiority, Information Superiority, Rapid Global Mobility, Precision Engagement, Agile Combat Support and Global Attack. They will draw on the best technology the private and public sector has to offer for the benefit of the Air Force. The IWBL began operations on March 17, 1997.

IWB GENERAL PROCEDURES

The IWBL will develop innovative solutions to IW needs in a five- step process:

  • Solicit and prioritize IW needs and ideas from Air Force operators, industry, laboratories and academia.

  • Organize and coordinate demonstrations of innovative IW tactics, techniques, procedures and/ or technologies.

  • Lead operational demonstrations within 18 months, with extensive warfighter interaction and operator feedback.

  • Analyze results, focusing on operational impact.
  • Publish results and make recommendations to the Air Force Board of Directors and Air Force Requirements Oversight Council