When an idea is proposed to the battlelabs, it is framed as a concept for organizing, training, equipping, commanding, planning or employing air and space forces. The battlelabs must identify how the new concept would advance one or more of the Air Force Core Competencies. To measure the worth of an idea, the battlelabs may use a range of actions, including the support of an existing architecture. The battlelabs will work with Air Force Materiel Command and industry to identify existing capabilities to fill architecture functional nodes.

When a capability does not exist, the battlelab will use modeling and simulation or a procedure or a tactic to fill this rather than work to develop a new capability.

The battlelab's job is to measure an idea's worth, not to engage in research and development projects.

Battlelabs pursue an innovative operations or logistics concept in the form of a battlelab initiative within 18 months.

Mitchell Battlelab Initiatives are innovative ideas which are revolutionary in nature and are accomplished by a concerted effort among the battlelabs. They are funded by corporate Air Force reprogramming and reprioritizing current year activities.

Kenney Battlelab Initiatives are primarily worked by a single battlelab and are funded by the major command or equivalent using a small amount of funding set aside to seed innovative ideas.

The planning and approval process begins with the Battlelab Planning Cell, an on-line video conferencing forum managed by the Chief of Headquarters U.S. Air Force Battlelab Integration Division, each battlelab commander, and colonels from other organizations..

The BPC ensures that BIs are innovative and focused at the operations and logistics concept level, build synergy between the battlelabs' ideas and prevent redundant efforts.

It also serves as a planning staff to develop the campaign concept required for Mitchell initiatives. The campaign concept lays out the planned demonstration mission statement, objectives, measures of merit and alternative courses of action. The campaign concept also identifies those units, organizations and capabilities needed to execute each alternative course of action. The lead battlelab commander up-channels the campaign concept through the major command or equivalent level and through the Battlelab Integration Division to long range planning Board of Directors for approval, selection among the alternative course of action, and identification of funding. Once approved by the board of directors, the MAJCOM or equivalent appoints a task force director to execute the selected course of action.

The lead battlelab brings forward an after initiative report through the BPC and sponsoring MAJCOM. Then, it comes through the HQ USAF Battlelab Integration Division to the AFROC and board of directors.

Battlelabs are the key if the Air Force is to seize the opportunity to quickly implement proven innovative operations and logistics concepts. The battlelabs will need to demonstrate the leadership which enables rapid decision making and the greatest flexibility in acquisitions management as well as in programming, planning and budgeting.

Retrun to July 97