ACCELERATING THE ARMY’S AI STRATEGY


Intelligence Systems and Analytics (PM IS&A), which focuses on AI delivery via Project Linchpin. PM IS&A is responsible for critical Army modernization initia- tives such as Army Intel Data Platform and Tactical Intelligence Targeting Access Node, and falls under Program Executive Office Intelligence, Electronic Warfare and Sensors (PEO IEW&S).


PM IS&A partnered with Army SBIR and xTech to develop the operational data, policies and trusted infrastructure to deploy and field AI applications via Project Linchpin. Te collaboration seeks to deliver game-changing AI technologies across the PEO IEW&S portfolio.


“Project Linchpin is building an opera- tional pipeline of trusted AI solutions, aligning with the Army’s broader AI implementation,” said Col. Chris Ander- son, project manager, PM IS&A. “Tis plan aims to deliver a coherent approach to AI across the Army, with specific execu- tion windows for integrating complex AI efforts.”


COMBINING FORCES Capitalizing on the unique strengths of the Army SBIR and xTech Programs, Proj- ect Linchpin accelerates the research and development of innovative AI technolo- gies for defense applications. As an Army transition partner, PEO IEW&S and its project managers, including PM IS&A, benefit from access to innovative solutions from the private sector. Meanwhile, the Army SBIR and xTech Programs provide a pathway for transitioning technologies into the Army’s operational framework.


“Collaboration between Army programs is critical because it looks at solving Army challenges very holistically,” said Matt Willis, Ph.D., director of Army Prize Competitions and the Army SBIR Program. “Te adoption of AI requires an


68 Army AL&T Magazine Fall 2024


SMALL BUSINESS CONNECTIONS


Enveil Inc., a winner of xTechPrime for the Project Linchpin topic area, attended the xTech Collider in Austin, Texas in August 2023, where technology integrators had the opportunity to network with small businesses from the xTechPrime competition. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Army xTech Program)


end-to-end perspective that will enable the Army to do this expeditiously, while navi- gating around associated risks.”


Willis’ sentiment rings true for Project Linchpin and ASA(ALT)’s innovation- centric programs. Project Linchpin focuses on the infrastructure, standards, gover- nance and processes behind AI adoption. Combined with the flexibility and creativ- ity of nontraditional innovators through Army SBIR and xTech, the Army seeks to lead in AI implementation with options to accelerate funding and technology transition.


For example, in fiscal year 2024, Army SBIR invested nearly $10 million in five small businesses aligned to Project Linch- pin thrust areas. For fiscal year 2025, this number is projected to increase. Army SBIR estimates $45 million in contract awards for Project Linchpin, out of an estimated $114 million in awards for Army SBIR’s larger artificial intelligence/ machine learning (AI/ML) portfolio, which focuses on solicitations aligning to other potential transition partners on top of Project Linchpin’s thrust areas.


Part of this funding stems from current and future Army SBIR awards made via


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