SYSTEMS ENGINEERING INC — Department of Defense STTR Phase I: AF21B-T001

Description

Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning (AI/ML) has become the next arms race in the realm of geopolitical competition. Though much focus is given to “killer robots,” the history of warfare has demonstrated the thread that connects tactical capability with strategic success is tenuous at best.  Additionally, the ability to project power as effectively and efficiently as possible has long been the central pillar of the United States’ foreign policy approach. Therefore, U.S.’s geopolitical success hinges on its ability to plan before combat effectively. Therefore, Systems Engineering (SEI) and its team (Mid-Atlantic Defense Solutions and Virginia Tech) propose applying AI/ML at the operational/strategic planning and wargaming level, where we believe it will have the most significant impact within the Department of Defense and the United States Air Force. To this end, our team proposes to develop the Joint Air Scheduling and Plaining Software (JASP), an application aimed at developing the insight and perspective of operational and strategic planners. Operational and Strategic planning is a Hierarchical, Heterogeneous problem, where planners must identify the force capability, composition, location, and size required to fulfill the commander’s intent.  Deployed force must then use its resources optimally to execute missions to successfully support the commander’s intent. SEI and its team will develop the Joint Air Scheduling and Plaining Software, a dynamic that will provide strategic insight. Our solution leverages Command: Modern Operation (CMO), a commercial video game, and a military simulator. We will integrate CMO with custom machine learning and artificial intelligence software, which will allow operational and strategic planners to rapidly simulate various scenarios and identify the required force composition that most efficiently and effectively executes a campaign. The goal of JASP is to help operational and strategic planners identify the capability, force composition, and force size required to effectively and efficiently counter U.S. adversaries.