Emerging Tech for DOD Requires Big Integration Efforts to Maximize Return on Investment

The Department of Defense continues to invest heavily in critical technologies such as unmanned systems, cloud, artificial intelligence, and edge computing as well as assured networks and communications systems.

A robust technology infrastructure forms the foundation for critical Departmental operations.

Fulcrum: The Department of Defense Information Technology Advancement Strategy

The President’s Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2025 includes $21.1 billion for Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence (C4I) Systems, 7% of the investment budget request and a $6.6 billion increase from the FY24 request (breakdown of the FY24 enacted level isn’t available). The C4I increase is partly due to shifting programs from a separate mission support category plus increases for cyber operations, spectrum, AI, 5G, Combined Joint All-Domain Command & Control (CJADC2) and other emerging technologies. While not exhaustive, these amounts represent a significant contribution for the joint force to deter aggression while being prepared to prevail in conflict with China and Russia per the FY25 Defense Budget Overview.

These technologies have applications across a wide range of military requirements. In order to rapidly connect sensors to shooters (e.g., to intercept or jam incoming missiles, target enemy drone swarms, or enable logistics worldwide), the military needs not just the sensors or weapons systems but also a robust and secure IT backbone with high speed processing, data storage and analysis, and AI that recognizes patterns, frequencies, with predictive analytics that know when a system needs replacing or repair.

Despite multi-year investments, the convergence and seamless employment of such enabling digital technologies remains a significant challenge. DOD’s goal of deploying a, “modernized, information network that is a dynamic and agile” with “lower latency, and greater network capacity,” remains a nascent and fragile work in progress.

One mission area where this is particularly evident is contested logistics. A review of House and Senate action on the FY25 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) offers insights into the current debate and level of effort being applied to these important areas.

HOUSE-PASSED FY25 NDAA

The House passed its version of the FY25 NDAA June 24. Several key provisions related to the convergence of critical enabling technologies for contested logistics and other areas stand out:

Section 219 – Agility Prime Transition Working Group. Directs the establishment of a working group to assist in the transition of hybrid and electric vertical take-off and landing technologies developed under the Air Force’s Agility Prime program that is developing those capabilities with partners in commercial industry and other sectors. This includes identification of requirements related to distributed and contested logistics, mobility and sustainment, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, strike, and other operational use cases.

Section 921 – Designation of Senior Officials Responsible for Contested Logistics Posture Management. Designates the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment as the senior official for contested logistics posture management, and designates a senior official within each military department. Also requires a Contested Logistics Posture Strategy with consultation required across OSD, Joint Staff, GCCs, other military departments, and the Department of State.

Section 1081 – Pilot Program on Army Readiness in Contested Logistics Environments. Directs the Army and its Combined Arms Center (part of the Training and Doctrine Command) to initiate a pilot program that will enhance overall readiness in contested logistics scenarios. Also encourages leveraging commercial equipment and services in simulated environments at combat training centers.

Section 1504 – Accounting of Cloud Computing. Requires DOD’s Chief Information Officer, in coordination with the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Officer (CDAIO), to provide a report listing current and planned DOD cloud elements. This includes any planned or ongoing major updates or upgrades; relevant metrics regarding interoperability, accessibility, and usability of cloud elements, and relevant cost metrics for the cloud element.

Section 1522 – Modernization of DOD’s Authorization to Operate Process. Requires the Department of Defense to improve and streamline ‘‘Authority to Operate’’ processes for information technology. Also directs the establishment of reciprocity policies across the military services for cloud-based technologies; further requires that authorizing officials consult current or planned mission owners.

Section 1523 – Assessment of Innovative Data Analysis and IT Solutions. Directs a report on the results of the implementation of innovative data analysis and information technology solutions that could improve risk management, agility, and capabilities for strategic defense purposes.

High Performance ComputeTechnologies – Report language stresses importance of artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) solutions that can require high speed, low-latency, high-performance computational processing and storage systems to run simultaneous calculations from multiple sensors. Such novel solutions may be required to enable next-generation sensors and AI/ML applications at the edge. Expresses concern that existing Army High Performance Compute (HPC) architectures may not support requirements for certain AI/ML applications. Encourages Army to consider options that provide HPC capabilities closer to the tactical edge, including ruggedized solutions.

Integrated Surveillance System Joint Cross-Domain Exchange (JCDX) – Report notes that improving maritime anti-access/area denial (A2AD) capabilities of adversaries, particularly China, require that Navy ships possess the ability to rapidly discover and access intelligence and operational data. JCDX provides real-time sharing of intelligence and operational data across all security levels for Navy commanders to track the position of ships, submarines, and aircraft, including for allies. Requires a report on plans to implement the existing JCDX capability, and plans to prioritize JCDX in future fiscal years.

Accelerating the adoption of advanced data, analytics, and artificial intelligence technologies presents an unprecedented opportunity to equip Department leaders at all levels with the data they need to make better decisions faster, from the boardroom to the battlefield.

Department of Defense 2023 Data, Analytics, and Artificial Intelligence Adoption Strategy

A REVIEW OF THE SASC-ADOPTED FY25 NDAA

The Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) voted July 8 to advance its version of the FY25 NDAA. Like the House-passed bill, the Senate version also includes key provisions related to the convergence of critical enabling technologies for contested logistics and other areas:

Section 245 – Management and Utilization of Digital Data to Enhance Maintenance Activities. Directs the Under Secretary for Acquisition and Sustainment, in consultation with the military departments and the CDAIO, to develop and implement policies to manage and utilize data derived from digital data systems for aircraft, ships, and ground vehicles in support of maintenance activities. This includes investments in advanced and scalable data infrastructure to efficiently record, transmit, categorize, and otherwise process data generated by digital data systems.

Section 810 – Ensuring Competition in Artificial Intelligence Procurement. Enables competition for multi-cloud technologies including architecture and services that allow for data, application, and program portability, usability, and interoperability between infrastructure, platforms.

Section 877 – Inclusion of Japan and the Republic of Korea in Contested Logistics Demonstration and Prototyping Program. Adds Japan and the Republic of Korea to the list of authorized participating countries for this demonstration and prototyping program that, among other things, seeks to improve interoperability, commonality, and interchangeability of platforms and information systems operated by the United States and its allies to enable operations in contested logistics environments.

Section 1022 – Requirements for the Unmanned Maritime Autonomy Architecture. Authorizes the creation and management of a vendor-agnostic and platform-agnostic modular open systems architecture and associated standards for maritime unmanned systems.

Section 1023 – Competitive Demonstration of Extra Large Unmanned Underwater Vehicles. Establishes a program to advance ELUUV including the ability to integrate into command and control systems, and the ability of such vehicles to execute a high-value missions in a contested environment.

Naval disconnected logistics. Report language acknowledges the Navy’s goal to adopt advanced digital supply chain management capabilities to utilize secure, durable devices and technologies that can operate in remote areas with limited network connectivity. Expresses concerned about slow progress in implementing advanced digital supply chain management. Directs a briefing that provides;

(1) An assessment of the potential benefits of utilizing commercial enterprise disconnected edge logistics technology and business systems; (2) Options for incorporating these technologies into the fleet; and (3) Identification of any requirements necessary to adopt these technologies.

Advanced simulation and computing. Commends the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and its Exascale Computing Initiative for enabling the United States to remain at the forefront of supercomputing technologies and reach exascale class computing last year. Encourages the NNSA to build on this model of success and leverage public-private partnerships to codesign and co-develop leading edge post-exascale advanced computing and artificial intelligence technologies.

WHAT’S NEXT

The Senate bill heads to the Senate floor for consideration, amendments, and debate. Following passage both committees will conference and work towards a December agreement.

There is more alignment than divergence in both the House and Senate versions of the bill, and it is therefore likely that most agreed outcomes will seek to consolidate rather than cancel points of emphasis. How these defense policy bills support or contrast with the ultimate FY25 defense appropriations bill remains to be seen.

MARKET SIGNAL

Congress prioritized DOD investments to ensure a digital asymmetric advantage that can deter or defeat China and Russia consistent with the 2022 National Defense Strategy. While the mission is clear, implementation and integration of these emerging technologies will be challenging.