PRODUCTS
The Problem
The Department of War has invested billions in autonomous capabilities, sensors, AI models, and platforms. But most never reach operational deployment. The bottleneck isn't innovation, it's integration.
Today's autonomous systems are trapped in stovepipes. Each payload requires custom integration with each platform. Vendor lock-in prevents mix-and-match capabilities. And when requirements change, the integration process starts over. Meanwhile, the threat environment moves faster than acquisition timelines can answer. This isn't a hardware problem, it's a software infrastructure problem.
THE MANDATE
Speed. Interoperability. Open Architecture.
These are no longer nice-to-haves.
“Speed to delivery is now our organizing principle.”
“We are no longer in an environment where flexible timelines and risk avoidance are acceptable. What once took a decade must now be delivered in months or weeks to stay ahead of the threat.”
“Where requirements overlap, we should converge. Where standards matter, we should align. Where speed matters, we should integrate.”
“Open systems architecture is critical in modern warfare. It allows us to capitalize on the most advanced autonomy solutions to ensure we incorporate the best technology in our weapon systems.”
“Speed, innovation and capability are more important than ever now.”
“The Fighting Instructions are not a strategy document. They are a demand signal. A demand for faster innovation. Faster fielding. Faster integration. And faster adaptation of lethal combat power.”