Special Report on U.S. Army Cyber Warfare Capability Development and National Defense Cyber Advancement ()

Key Chapter Title List

1. Army G-6 Emphasizes Unified Network Goal, Signal Corps to Undergo Restructuring
2. Skinner: DISA Accelerates DODNET, Sets Ambitious User Target
3. PEO C3T Says Army is Lukewarm on Radio-as-a-Service Pilot
4. Army RF Pilot Off to a Good Start, Industry Collaboration to Begin Soon
5. DoD Cyber Talent Plan After One Year: Faces Personnel Shortages and Bureaucratic Hurdles
6. Consistency Challenges and Tiered System for Cyber Talent Qualification Assessment
7. Implementation Difficulties of the DoD Cyber Talent Exchange Program
8. Progress Status of the DoD's 38 Cyber Talent Initiatives

Document Introduction

This report is compiled based on the core content of the AFCEA TechNet conference held in Augusta, Georgia in August 2024. It focuses on key issues, pilot project progress, and existing challenges in the U.S. Army's cyber warfare capability building and the defense network modernization process, providing first-hand authoritative analysis for professionals in the defense and security fields.

During the conference, senior officials from core agencies such as the U.S. Army and the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) disclosed multiple strategic initiatives and project updates. The Army G-6 office plans to advance the restructuring of signal forces, proposing the re-establishment of division-level signal battalions to address resource duplication caused by the separation of tactical and enterprise networks and to accelerate unified network construction. DISA announced it will launch the DODNET acceleration plan in October, aiming to expand the user base from the current approximately 32,000 to nearly 100,000 within 6 to 9 months, integrating isolated defense agency networks and phasing out legacy systems.

Regarding pilot projects, two key Army pilots show differentiated progress: The Radio Frequency (RF) pilot (formerly the Electronic Warfare Data pilot), launched in July, has started smoothly, completing its first phase of data collection. It plans to enter the second phase and initiate industry collaboration in September-October, aiming to enhance the Army's mobility and survivability in the electromagnetic spectrum. Conversely, the Radio-as-a-Service pilot, in development for nearly two years, has progressed slower than expected due to unclear initial investment allocation and ambiguous return on investment, leading to a lukewarm attitude from the Army, although the Under Secretary of the Army remains optimistic about its long-term value.

On the talent front, one year after the implementation of the DoD's Cyber Talent Strategy, despite achieving a net hiring increase of 2,000 personnel, a talent gap of 28,000 remains. Simultaneously, it faces multiple obstacles including high personnel turnover rates, inconsistent qualification assessment standards, and cumbersome bureaucratic processes. Of the 38 established initiatives, only 2 have been completed, still falling short of the goal to complete 10 by the end of FY2024. Talent retention and cross-agency/industry exchanges also face hindrances due to resource constraints.

By integrating conference remarks, project data, and senior leadership statements, this report comprehensively presents the strategic direction, practical pathways, and real-world challenges of the U.S. Army's cyber warfare capability building, providing an important reference for understanding the future development trends of U.S. military cyber and electronic warfare.