The AAC is responsible for the development, acquisition, testing, deployment, and sustainment of all air-delivered weapons. The AAC applies advanced technology, engineering, and programming efficiencies across the entire product life cycle to provide superior combat capability. The AAC plans, directs, and conducts the test and evaluation of U.S. and allied air armament, navigation/guidance systems, and Command and Control (C2) systems The AAC operates two Air Force installations, providing host support to Eglin AFB and Kirtland AFB NM, and supports the largest single-base mobility commitment in the Air Force. To accomplish their mission, AAC manages the large land test ranges that are located on the 724 square mile Eglin complex as well as the 86,500 square miles of water ranges located in the adjacent Gulf of Mexico. Major tests on or above AAC's ranges cover aircraft systems, subsystems, missiles, guns, rockets, targets and drones, high-powered radars, and electronic countermeasures equipment.

AAC's unique assets include the Guided Weapons Evaluation Facility (GWEF), the Preflight Integration of Munitions and Electronic Systems (PRIMES),and the McKinley Climatic Laboratory, a facility capable of testing military hardware as large as aircraft in environments ranging from minus 65 to plus 165 degrees Fahrenheit with 100 mph winds, icing clouds, rain, and snow. AAC also is responsible for the 46th Test Group at Holloman AFB NM, with its high speed test track, two radar target scatter measurement facilities, and the Central Inertial Guidance Test Facility (CIGTF).

The operational contracting division contracts for supplies, equipment, and work necessary for the operation and maintenance of Eglin AFB. See Chapter 3 for a listing of goods and services purchased in support of base operations.