Configurable Software & LLMs: The Force Multiplying Combo Enabling Airmen to Accomplish Tomorrow's Mission
Something remarkable is happening in the Air Force. What started several years ago as a powerful shift toward configurable software has now been supercharged by large language models, creating an unprecedented opportunity for Airmen to solve complex mission challenges at the speed of need. I've seen and experienced much of this evolution firsthand, and I want to share some insights with you.
The Pitch: Configurable Software as a Force Multiplier
A few years ago, COTS access and "low code, no code" resources were not as accessible as they are today. I witnessed this transformation firsthand in my enlisted time developing and teaching the Data Engineering Course for the Air Force. Configurable software such as ArcGIS was just beginning to revolutionize how Airmen work—allowing them to adapt out-of-the-box software solutions for thousands of unique problems in days rather than years. Whether tracking readiness levels or configuring complex data transformation workflows, Airmen were finding ways to configure these existing tools to meet mission needs rapidly in mind-melting new ways. It was like nothing the defense space has seen before, and is still at the definitive cutting edge in my opinion.
Adding Rocket Fuel to the Fire: AI as an Exponential Driver
In 2022 we witnessed "the ChatGPT moment", and in that moment everything changed, we just didn't fully realize what had happened yet. What was already powerful became increasingly lethal. Suddenly, Airmen could leverage AI to debug scripts, prototype more powerful coded solutions, allowing them to integrate more advanced capabilities into their environments with unprecedented speed. The barrier to entry for complex technical tasks dropped dramatically, allowing Airmen to focus on what they do best: solving mission-critical problems.
As direct examples, I'm seeing LLMs enable or amplify these areas:
-Writing, debugging and prototyping code solutions
-Accelerating research across COTS documentation and brainstorming configuration solutions
-Automated visualization of data architectures, data flows, and software solution diagrams
-Discovery of new ways to tackle challenges and explore
-Reducing barriers to learning and mastering complex software relevant skillsets
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Simply put, with AI, more Airmen can do more in more ways than ever before.
The Power of Problem-Proximity
Here's what makes this combination truly impactful: Those closest to the problems can now build their own solutions instead of relying on others. No more lengthy requirements gathering processes, leading to an infinite game of telephone with various developers and project managers. When an Airman identifies a mission need, they can leverage configurable software and AI assistance to create solutions right there on the "actual place".
I see this happening every day—Airmen taking initiative, finding creative solutions, and delivering results that were definitively impossible just a few years ago.
The ceiling of human capability has risen because of AI, and Airmen are part of that.
During my time in the USAF, my team proved that with just two weeks of immersive training, Airmen could leverage configurable COTS to prototype production-ready software solutions that solve complex mission requirements. Now, with LLMs in the mix, their capabilities are expanding past even what I thought was the wildest outcome.
If you're a leader in the USAF, here's the perspective I want to share with you:
The potential here is staggering, but it requires continued support and trust in our Airmen. To accomplish tomorrow's mission, our nation should:
The tools are here. The talent is ready. The results are evident and present in my world every day. It's time to double down on this approach and empower even more Airmen to drive innovation where it matters most—at the edge of mission execution.
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The views expressed are my personal views and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Air Force or the U.S. Government or Esri.
Really great article! I have a few points on it however. From a technical perspective. Configurable software can't and won't solve the biggest challenges in data. The issue we continue to see is if I engineer a backend system to do a thing, I have magically attached a word to that software. *Opinionated* This word in software means quite a lot because it means that I have decided for me and everyone else who uses this software how it will work. It's not bad to use opinionated software as long as you're okay with their opinion overruling yours. In most cases that is fine because that software may be a small part of your architecture. It gets tricky when that software becomes the basis for your entire architecture, then I have to build around a system instead of building on that system. From the Air Force side, I think we've all had different experiences with different levels of advocacy. My personal belief is that we already have adequate training. We have a lack of dedication from above leaving innovators with a lack of resources, and more importantly, trust. Thus leading to some of the best minds in the space leaving, and in many cases, leaving the defense department entirely.