By Michael Bold
FORT BELVOIR, Va. (April 3, 2017)—Robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), additive manufacturing and autonomous weapon systems are rapidly changing the way the Army fights. How it’s changing, and the rapidity of that change, is the theme of the April-June 2017 issue of Army AL&T magazine.
Read about:
The Army acquisition process must effectively deliver technologically sophisticated systems. To avoid pitfalls in robotics, manned-unmanned teaming, AI, and cyber and electromagnetic warfare, the Acquisition Lessons Learned Portal helps managers tread where others have gone before. See “GROUND TRUTH.”
The Army is moving quickly on the handheld robotic Standoff Robotic Explosive Hazard Detection System (SREHD), which is capable of detecting, marking and neutralizing explosive hazards—landmines, improvised explosive devices and unexploded ordnance—without putting Soldiers in danger. Find out how in “SREHD SHREDS THE HANDHELD COMPETITION.”
Imagine trying to create a picture of internet. Even if you could, it’d be out of date in seconds. Trying to visualize the cyber battlefield is roughly like that—and that’s just the beginning of planning and executing mission command for Army cyber operations. See “X MARKS THE SPOT.”
Paul Scharre, a former Army Ranger who went on to work in the Office of the Secretary of Defense and now is at a private-sector think tank, fears DOD bureaucratic resistance could hamper progress on machine intelligence. He talks about his experiences and concerns in “ROBOTICS REVOLUTIONARY.”
Mowgli, the hero of Rudyard Kipling’s 1894 classic “The Jungle Book,” had to deal with all manner of animals, including one very unpleasant cat. But he never had to deal with an ACAT III, the acquisition category into which falls any procurement under $835 million. But Soldiers do. And therein lies the tale of why the Army is still without footwear suitable for jungle terrain. See “THE JUNGLE BOOT.”
Office of the Secretary of Defense Logistics fellows take on staff assignments and training in a collaborative learning program that allows participants to view the DOD enterprise logistics community from the highest level. Get the details in “A GLIMPSE FROM ABOVE.”
Stakeholders broke out of their traditional roles while testing and evaluating cybersecurity at NIE 16.2. They learned that when red and blue teams talk earlier and more often, cyber systems get stronger. See “PARTNERING AT THE SPEED of CYBER.”
Even if you’re a die-hard hard copy reader, there are many reasons to take a sneak peek online. Go to http://usaasc.armyalt.com/#folio=1 to read the e-magazine, or visit the archives at https://asc.army.mil/web/magazine/alt-magazine-archive/ to download the PDF version.
For more information on how to publish an article in Army AL&T magazine, visit https://asc.army.mil/web/publications/army-alt-magazine/ to check out our writers guidelines, upcoming deadlines and themes.
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