[1] Led by a Lieutenant General, AFLCMC is charged with life cycle management of Air Force weapon systems from their inception to retirement.

AFLCMC was designed to provide a single face and voice to customers, management of weapon systems across their life cycles, and to simplify and consolidate staff functions and processes to curtail redundancy and enhance efficiency.

In addition, AFLCMC's operating structure provides a framework for decision making and process optimization across the weapon system life cycle.

AFLCMC also executes sales of aircraft and other defense-related equipment while building relationships with foreign partner nation's air forces.

[citation needed] AFLCMC execution directorates provide direct program support such as engineering, technical order management, developmental planning, contracting, and source selection assistance.