by Cheryl Marino
FORT BELVOIR, Va. (April 4, 2023) — “New capabilities and concepts” is almost like the chicken-and-egg scenario: Which came first? According to AL&T editor-in-chief, Nelson McCouch III, the answer is probably neither. “One drives the other in an endless cycle of development, testing and implementation; a cycle the Army Acquisition Workforce uses expertly to ensure our Soldiers have the best equipment and strategies to fight and win our nation’s wars.”
The spring 2023 issue of AL&T magazine explores a multitude of exciting capabilities and concepts the Army Acquisition Workforce is developing to change warfare as we now know it. Read how:
- Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System faces “earth-shattering” change in THE P(I)LOT TO KILL JCIDS.
- DOD Tradewind initiative for artificial intelligence and machine learning is shaking things up. Find out more in RUN LIKE THE (TRADE)WIND.
- Joint Program Executive Office for Armaments & Ammunition delivers a more accurate, safer 40 mm grenade. Don’t miss SMARTER RESUPPLY.
- New artificial intelligence tools are transforming the Army. Read more in GENERATION GENERATION.
- xTech and Small Business Innovation Research programs inject innovation into the Army’s modernization efforts in INNOVATION CATALYST.
- A project office implements Agile methodology throughout the acquisition process. Learn more in AGILE APPLICATION IN MATERIEL ACQUISITION.
- Human Resources Command is undergoing an ambitious reform to bring best practices and technologies to bear in managing the Army’s most important resource—its people. Find out more in A NEW VISION FOR ARMY HUMAN RESOURCES.
- New chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear technologies keep Soldiers out of harm’s way in the field. Get the details in SENSOR SUITE – UPGRADED.
As always, Army AL&T relies on contributions from you, members of the Army Acquisition Workforce and our stakeholders. For more information on how to publish an article in Army AL&T magazine, go to https://asc.army.mil/web/publications/army-alt-submissions to see our writers’ guidelines, upcoming deadlines and themes.
Spring 2023 Army AL&T
FROM THE AAE
Military superiority has always been about innovation. America’s ability to innovate—public and private—is one of our “superpowers” that helped us win the Cold War and will help us outcompete our adversaries today.
NEW CAPABILITIES AND CONCEPTS
Later this year, DOD will begin a pilot program that may prove more consequential for speeding acquisition than the revision of the DOD 5000 series of instructions and the implementation of the Adaptive Acquisition Framework.
The DOD Tradewind initiative for artificial intelligence solutions made headlines when it first launched in 2021, and now it is turning heads again with its newest offering—a video-based marketplace for AI solutions to government problems.
The U.S. continues to arm Ukraine with billions of dollars of equipment, armaments and ammunition—including 40 mm high-explosive grenade cartridges—to combat Russian forces. As modernization remains a top priority for the Army, leaders are directed to replenish U.S. ammunition stockpiles with newer, modernized rounds.
The potential for generative artificial intelligence to be used by the Army, in both operations and for enterprise use, has clear benefits for transformation—in the hands of those with the experience, expertise and willingness to embrace new ways of working.
The U.S. Army xTech and Army Applied Small Business and Innovation Research (SBIR) programs inject small businesses and nontraditional innovators into the Army ecosystem with capabilities that will serve as catalysts of innovation for the future force.
FACES OF THE FORCE: MAJ. CHRISTOPHER NOLL
The secret sauce is leadership.
AGILE APPLICATION IN MATERIEL ACQUISITION
The Integrated Fires Mission Command (IFMC) Project Office implements Agile methodology throughout the acquisition process.
FACES OF THE FORCE: SAVANNA SHILT
Ahead of the curve.
A NEW VISION FOR ARMY HUMAN RESOURCES
To create the force the Army needs to win our nation’s wars and continue the all-volunteer force model, the Army must execute the transformation of its human resources programs and business models at U.S. Army Human Resources Command (HRC).
The reconnaissance and platform integration team from the Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense (JPEO-CBRND) showed senior leaders, government officials and Soldiers what is possible when new technology is used in new ways: keeping warfighters away from dangerous environments.
FEATURE ARTICLES
U.S. Army leaders have long acknowledged the need to upgrade the nation’s World War II-era government-owned, contractor-operated (GOCO) ammunition production facilities. Ukraine’s needs in the face of invasion by Russia have just jump-started the modernization process.
The Army is shaping its satellite communications portfolio to support multidomain operations more efficiently while enabling technology advancements.
FACES OF THE FORCE: DEWAYNE ANTHONY GRANT
Learn and lead.
Future operating environment and strategic need fuel the Army’s network design goals.
COMMENTARY
The Program Executive Office for Command, Control and Communications – Tactical (PEO C3T), the Network Cross-Functional Team and the Combat Capabilities Development Command Computers, Communications, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C51SR) Center work to find a route around the technology transition valley of death.
Like many foods, information needs some work before it’s ready for consumption.
WORKFORCE
FROM THE DACM: DEVELOPING A CULTURE OF INNOVATION THROUGH PURPOSE
This year will be a key steppingstone toward the Army achieving the Army of 2030 modernization goals, in which the Army Acquisition Workforce plays a critical role. The DACM Office has several professional development programs and training opportunities available for our workforce that can be used to help develop an entrepreneurial mindset.
An acquisition professional shares her career hurdles as the Army releases a new guide for veterans and military husbands and wives to better understand the federal hiring process.
Going through a military process as a civilian can be an eye-opening and career-broadening experience.
A simple question led the author and her team to develop a workshop to assist colleagues in their career advancement.
FACES OF THE FORCE: NICOLE KILGORE
Rise to the top.
The DACM Office offers robust training and education programs for officers and NCOs.
FACES OF THE FORCE: KELLY TISCH
Channel your inner authenticity.
Army careers are contagious, and Kelly Tisch’s inspiration for service was her grandfather, a WWII POW and then escapee, who was proud to serve even though his post-discharge struggles endured for half a century.
The Army is honored with three 2022 Defense Acquisition Workforce Awards.
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