Brian Dietrick
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio – As the world evolves and threats become more sophisticated, the Air Force aims to innovate and outpace them. A key element of this is Digital Materiel Management, which is transforming operations in the digital age.
DMM was highlighted during a presentation at Wright State University on Feb. 20, 2025.
“DMM is a way to go fast,” said Kyle Hurst, chief, Air Force Digital Transformation Office. “Right now, it takes us about 16 years to develop and deploy a weapon system for our warfighters. It takes China about seven. That’s nine extra years of training, concept of operations development, and using their weapons to get better."
DMM aims to accelerate the warfighter’s edge. The DMM team at Air Force Materiel Command is responsible for aligning digital initiatives, implementing advanced tools and fostering a culture of innovation.
Hurst made a powerful historical comparison, highlighting how during World War II, it took just 102 days from the award of the contract to the first P-51 Mustang rolling off the production line, and only 50 days more for it to soar through the skies.
"Obviously, a lot has changed since then," Hurst said. “Modern programs go through thousands of steps from concept to deployment. The question now is, ‘How can the Air Force return to faster timelines, where decisions and innovations happen more rapidly?’ Digital Materiel Management is the key to answering that challenge.”
DMM is not just a technical program—it’s a philosophy that spans across the entire Air Force, impacting acquisition, research, and day-to-day operations. Hurst explained that DMM applies in many aspects of the Air Force, including facilities, maintenance, and logistics. He highlighted Tyndall Air Force Base as an example.
"They created a digital twin of the base infrastructure so that civil engineers could better map out when and where they need to go and what parts they need to bring when completing a work order," said Hurst. “This digital approach helps with proactive decision-making and efficiency, ensuring that our teams are always one step ahead.”
Additionally, DMM has made a significant impact in areas like traffic flow management and aircrew scheduling. By leveraging data and digital tools, DMM helps create a more agile, responsive Air Force capable of adapting quickly to emerging needs.
"There's ways to automate those things and a lot of ways you can apply DMM beyond a traditional acquisition environment,” said Hurst.
As the Air Force pushes forward with its digital transformation, Hurst highlighted several key initiatives aimed at breaking down barriers and achieving success in the DMM space. These include:
- Access to Digital Tools – Ensuring that all personnel have access to the digital resources they need.
- Training a Digital Workforce – Developing the skills necessary for the Air Force to function in a digital-first environment.
- Instilling a Digital-First Culture – Shifting mindsets to prioritize digital solutions across all functions.
- Implementing Digital Strategies – Creating effective strategies to leverage digital tools at every level of the Air Force.
- Structuring and Securing Data – Organizing and safeguarding data to maximize its potential while ensuring security.
- Modernizing IT Infrastructure – Upgrading the IT infrastructure to support the digital needs of the future.
DMM is paving the way for a more agile, capable, and effective Air Force—one that’s ready to face the challenges of tomorrow, today.
“Digital Materiel Management ensures that our critical processes leverage digital tools and technologies across AFMC and the Air Force,” Hurst said. “It’s a way to go fast and how we keep up with our competitors.”
For more information on DMM, visit https://www.afmc.af.mil/About-Us/Digital/ or the CAC-enabled Air Force Digital Transformation site at https://usaf.dps.mil/teams/afmcde/SitePages/Home.aspx.
Kyle Hurst, chief, Air Force Digital Transformation Office, discusses how Air Force Materiel Command’s Digital Materiel Management team is using innovation and automation to transform the Air Force in the digital age during a monthly Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association presentation at Wright State University Feb. 20, 2025. DMM ensures that critical processes leverage digital tools and technologies across AFMC and the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Brian Dietrick) 
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