Over the past few years, the Army has made significant strides in enhancing the technological resilience of its personnel and operations, from faster software delivery to the introduction of new artificial intelligence tools. While these developments may not showcase the drama of combat, they are crucial for determining the outcome of future conflicts. Much of this critical work is being accomplished by the Communications Electronics Command (CECOM), a lesser-known organization under the Army Material Command.
Focus on Digital Modernization
At the heart of CECOM is the Software Engineering Center (SEC), which has centered its efforts on three primary areas to facilitate the Army’s digital modernization. SEC’s director revealed in a recent interview with Breaking Defense that these areas include accelerating software delivery, establishing a continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) platform, and developing a new AI tool.
Historically, SEC has acted as a sustainment organization, ensuring that the Army’s command, control, communications, computers, cyber, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C5ISR) capabilities remain operational and secure. As the Army sharpens its focus on digital transformation, SEC has adopted a more developmental role.
Commitment to Rapid Software Updates
Garrett Shoemaker, the SEC director, expressed the center’s commitment to adapt and modernize alongside the Army. He emphasized the importance of delivering software quickly to soldiers, stating that his office can now update software in the field within 72 hours. This capability applies to essential systems, including those used on aircraft like the Chinook and Apache helicopters, as well as ground-based systems that combat remote-controlled improvised explosive devices.
„The result is that, by enabling detection, identification, and neutralization of threats, we are saving soldiers’ lives daily,” Shoemaker remarked. „We can swiftly adapt our software to new threats, whether they arise in a specific area of responsibility or are ground or air-based threats.”
Development of a CI/CD Platform
Additionally, SEC is actively working on establishing its own CI/CD platform, which streamlines the process of incorporating and testing new code. Continuous Integration (CI) allows small segments of new code to be automatically added to existing software repositories, undergoing thorough testing to ensure compatibility. Continuous Delivery (CD) follows, automatically releasing tested code into production environments.
Now that the CI/CD platform is operational, SEC teams are collaborating with the Army’s Chief Information Office to secure certification, enabling other organizations within the Army to utilize it without needing to develop their own systems. „This initiative enhances efficiency and reduces costs by consolidating efforts within a single environment,” Shoemaker noted.
Integrating Artificial Intelligence
In today’s digital landscape, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) is vital for any software development center. SEC proudly introduced A.I. Flow, an experimental program that employs the Microsoft Azure Government open AI structure for various tasks, including contract writing and managing requests for proposals.
The SEC collaborated with Army Contracting Command (ACC) to set standards for A.I. Flow, using example documents to establish a framework for necessary justifications and approvals in Department of Defense contracting. Remarkably, A.I. Flow was able to generate an 80% complete justification and approval document in minutes, a task that typically takes days or even weeks.
Conclusion
The ongoing efforts by the Army, particularly through CECOM and the SEC, highlight the importance of technological advancements in enhancing operational efficiency and soldier safety. The integration of AI tools like A.I. Flow and the establishment of robust software delivery mechanisms position the Army for continued success in the modern digital era.
