The Department of the Air Force's software factories are at a critical inflection point. The DAF has proven its capacity to accelerate modern software acquisition for mission success. The DAF must now evolve from localized software factory successes into a cohesive, secure, and scalable Enterprise Tech Stack. 

This panel brings together leaders from the Office of the CIO, Cloud One, Platform One, BESPIN, and the Software Directorate. The discussion will explore what it practically means to build and sustain an enterprise tech stack across the DAF. Panelists will address the evolving role of software factories within this unified ecosystem, specifically focusing on how to deliver shared DevSecOps enterprise services while navigating competing organizational priorities, budget constraints, and the escalating speed of AI-enabled adversarial threats.

The Problem Space
While individual software factories have successfully fielded critical capabilities, operating them as disconnected silos is no longer fiscally or operationally sustainable. The DAF requires a unified enterprise tech stack to ensure interoperability, reduce duplicative engineering, and pool limited resources. Achieving this vision requires overcoming entrenched organizational priorities and tightening budgets, all while hardening infrastructure against adversaries who are leveraging AI to discover and exploit vulnerabilities at unprecedented speeds.

Session Flow & Agenda

Part 1 · Defining the Enterprise Tech Stack · Transitioning from the "State of DAF Software" to the future state. Panelists will define what an "Enterprise Tech Stack" actually looks like for the DAF. What are the foundational layers, and how do shared enterprise services (like Cloud One and Platform One) integrate seamlessly with operational units?

Part 2 · The Evolving Role of Software Factories · Moving beyond standalone success stories. Panelists will discuss how factories like Kessel Run and BESPIN fit into a unified stack. How do factories transition from being independent incubators to specialized nodes within a broader, collaborative DAF ecosystem?

Part 3 · Navigating Budgets & Competing Priorities · A candid discussion on scaling success despite friction. Leaders will address the realities of competing resources across different DAF organizations. How can the Department align funding, reduce duplicative efforts, and enforce enterprise standards without stifling localized innovation?

Part 4 · Hardening the Stack Against AI & Emerging Threats · Looking at the future direction of DevSecOps through the lens of national security. Panelists will discuss how an enterprise-wide tech stack improves our defensive posture, specifically focusing on automating compliance, accelerating time-to-patch, and countering AI-driven cyber threats from adversaries.