In the over-the-horizon future, the Combat Cloud will be actualized as an operating paradigm. Armed Forces will process vast amounts of data and information rapidly using AI algorithms. Commanders will be better informed and enabled to act faster and more decisively. Information, data management, connectivity, and C2 will become core mission priorities as we transform to more integrated, interdependent operations.

The global air power community understands that we are at an inflection point and the future of Air Power will be dictated by the ability of the Air Force to quickly and seamlessly transition between low intensity, permissive conflicts to high intensity, contested, multi-domain operations. Increasingly, the Air Force of the future will be called upon to not only synchronize traditional Air, Land, and Maritime warfighting domains but also incorporate and leverage the diverse and robust capabilities provided by both Space and Cyberspace domains. This highly networked, cross-domain system-of-systems approach of MDO promises higher synergies and cost effectiveness than ever before as a way to leverage and optimize future operational capabilities.