by Cheryl Marino
FORT BELVOIR, Va. (Jan. 17, 2023)—Everything, it seems, is going digital. And all that Army acquisition, logistics and technology does on behalf of the Soldier could, and should, include digital transformation. The winter 2023 issue of Army AL&T magazine, online now, focuses on everything from artificial intelligence, augmented reality, hypersonics, cyber and electromagnetic activities to robotics, swarming, advanced materials, bioengineering, quantum information sciences, space technologies and biometrics. According to AL&T editor-in-chief Nelson McCouch III, it’s not as if Army acquisition just woke up and realized there was a digital transformation. Far from it. “It’s the speed of this transformation that is now taking over and getting everyone’s attention, and thus the need for Army acquisition to ensure that digital transformation is baked into every aspect of acquisition.” In this issue, you will learn how the Army’s program executive offices are at the tip of the spear in this transformation, and are addressing the digital in everything they produce. Read how:
- Keeping up with the pace of changing technology will bring agility and flexibility needed for continuous modernization in IRREVERSIBLE MOMENTUM.
- The Office of the U.S. Army Chief Information Officer is refocusing digital efforts in the Army for a successful future. Find out more in DIGITAL OVERHAUL.
- A new platform will enhance the Soldier’s information and decision-making superiority in the field. Don’t miss OPTIMIZING INTEROPERABILITY.
- The Enterprise Cloud Management Agency will deliver a secure, globally dominant cloud ecosystem for a digitally focused Army. Read more in INNOVATION IN CLOUD ACQUISITION.
- A powerful data platform is seeing wider adoption and creating wins across the Army in THE ARMY’S DATA (AD)VANTAGE.
- The Army will implement changes that upend the assumption that everything behind a firewall is safe. Find out more in ZERO TRUST.
- A new playbook established by the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Data, Engineering and Software includes a few key initiatives laser focused on driving digital transformation. Get the details in QUARTERBACKING DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION.
- Enhanced terrain-processing tools improve geospatial capabilities. Learn more in SUPERIOR SITUATIONAL AWARENESS.
- The Army is developing its first artificial intelligence pipeline, marking the future of overmatch in multidomain operations. Find out how it works in HEARD IT THROUGH THE PIPELINE.
- A new online resource gives the foreign military sales workforce a technical edge in ALE FILLS FMS TRAINING GAP.
- Leveraging existing tools will expedite software capabilities to the warfighter. Get the details in AGILE SOFTWARE DEPLOYMENT.
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.
Winter 2023 Army AL&T
FROM THE AAE
ACCELERATING THE DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
With digital transformation enabling the Army’s transition to a multidomain force, we are working to ensure our ultimate goal—dominance so decisive that no adversary wants to fight us.
DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
The Army’s digital transformation strategy was established a year ago to fuel innovation and enduring transformation to modernize the Army of 2030. Staying on target with the priority efforts, while remaining flexible to keep the pace of changing technology, will bring agility and flexibility needed for continuous modernization.
The Office of the U.S. Army Chief Information Officer is working to refocus digital efforts by conducting capability portfolio and business process reviews. This digital resource management overhaul will result in giving the Army the data it needs to make necessary changes to acquisition processes.
A new platform called the Interface Interoperability Insights Platform was initiated by the Office of the U.S. Army Chief Information Officer Architecture, Data and Standards Directorate to enhance Soldier’s information and decision-making superiority in the field.
INNOVATION IN CLOUD ACQUISITION
The Enterprise Cloud Management Agency, within the Office of the U.S. Army Chief Information Officer, is continuously driving data, software and process transformation to deliver a secure, globally dominant cloud ecosystem for a digitally focused Army.
A powerful data platform called Army Vantage is seeing wider adoption and creating wins across the Army. The platform gives Soldiers the capability, using its curated suite of tools, to create a custom common operating picture that can track essential functions and enable analysis.
The Army is moving forward aggressively to implement changes that upend the assumption that everything behind a firewall is safe. A new architecture called Zero Trust will be carefully phased in and integrated with existing capabilities to avoid disruptions while achieving the goal of improved security.
FACES OF THE FORCE: CHRISTOPHER L. WALTSAK
Learn by example.
QUARTERBACKING DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
The new Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Data, Engineering and Software developed a playbook which includes a few key initiatives that are focused on driving digital transformation.
SUPERIOR SITUATIONAL AWARENESS
The Army Engineer Research and Development Center is developing enhanced terrain-processing tools to improve Soldiers’ maneuver capabilities and far more.
A revolutionary initiative called Project Linchpin is developing the Army’s first artificial intelligence pipeline to deliver AI and ML capabilities for faster, more accurate decision-making.
FACES OF THE FORCE: STEPHEN B. FULLER
Share the knowledge.
The Agile Learning Environment (ALE) tool is a first-stop resource of information, training and user perspective on specific tasks in real time, by which the workforce can access reference material relevant to their daily tasks.
The Integrated Fires Mission Command has implemented a new, digital distribution process using Windchill Product Lifecycle Management software to securely deliver software to Soldiers—evolving traditional methods of software delivery that were not keeping pace with development.
FEATURE ARTICLES
After setting up an innovation hub at the Cyber and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Sabra Horne wrote a how-to book for other government organizations.
As the Afghan government collapsed and the U.S. departed, Army Contracting Command – Afghanistan (ACC-A) came up with novel solutions to pay the Army’s bills.
FACES OF THE FORCE: CHRISTOPHER ‘MICHAEL’ UPTON
Lasting impact.
The Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense counters high-potency opioid exposure across multiple domains with a unique rapid acquisition approach.
Newly modernized Expeditionary Signal Battalions – Enhanced formations (ESB-E) network equipment set enables warfighter formations to meet the rapid pace of a near-peer fight.
FACES OF THE FORCE: STAFF SGT. CHRISTOPHER J. JUNGNICK
Experience speaks for itself.
BIG MOVES FOR SMALL ARMS SYSTEMS
Authorities in the mid-tier acquisition pathway drove the rapid development of new Soldier weapons.
BUILDING PARTNERSHIP CAPACITY THROUGH AVIATION
The Multi-National Aviation Special Project Office (MASPO) provides aviation capabilities that meet allied and combatant command priorities and build international partnerships in the process.
COMMENTARY
HOW (NOT) TO CONTRACT SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT
Lessons learned from a failed contract for All-Army CyberStakes.
WORKFORCE
FROM THE DACM: DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION AND THE ARMY ACQUISITION WORKFORCE
The transformed workforce will be digital-forward, understanding the role of data across the multidomain battlespace.
FIRST DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION TRAINING
Critical transformation begins with the Army Digital Data Leader’s Course.
ARMY ACQUISITION HALL OF FAME INAUGURAL CLASS
Event commemorates the contributions of legendary Army acquisition professionals.
FACES OF THE FORCE: JAMES M. DAVIS
Here to Stay.
After Adina Peyton lost her son in a police shooting, she found a new purpose—supporting first responders who experience trauma.
Army Acquisition Workforce members don’t need to wait to develop their careers—they can start right away.
Guard and Reserve acquisition Soldiers return to in-person training to begin a new Back-to-Basics era.
Training With Industry fellows learn how a professional services company does business.
Army acquisition brings guns to compete for future talent at West Point’s Branch Week.
For more ways to read Army AL&T go to https://asc.army.mil/web/army-alt/. And stay in touch with USAASC for the latest in AL&T news and information!
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