DoD Advances with AI and Open Source Solutions

Earlier this year, the Department of Defense (DoD) announced a milestone in achieving a “minimum viable” version of the Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control (CJADC2) system, which aims to interconnect military forces across various domains. As the CJADC2 system continues to evolve, the DoD must ensure its edge infrastructure is resilient, dynamic, and capable of delivering fast, accurate intelligence. AI and automation are key to overcoming the limitations of legacy hardware and achieving this goal.
The DoD is moving away from proprietary, siloed platforms towards open architecture standards like the Army’s C5ISR Modular Open Suite of Standards (CMOSS) and C5ISR Modular Form Factor (CMFF), enabling greater flexibility and real-time insights for warfighters.
Building self-healing and composable networks is crucial for maintaining robust communications in harsh environments and dynamic operations. AI, machine learning, and automation are essential for networks to detect, respond, and recover from issues autonomously.
The DoD is also adopting open source software to enhance automation and AI capabilities at the edge, exemplified by the Army’s open source intelligence (OSINT) strategy. This approach allows for greater interoperability and portability of applications across different environments and allies.
Continuous maintenance and evolution of these systems are critical for maintaining high levels of strategic intelligence. The DoD’s commitment to continuous improvement is evident in the progress of the CJADC2 program.
Christopher Yates, Department of Defense and Army chief architect at Red Hat, emphasizes the importance of these advancements for the future of military operations.