智邦网
2020-06-06 智邦网
编译 致远
据c4isrnet网2020年6月5日报道，6月1日，美特种作战司令部正式成立新的计划执行官办公室（ PEO ），重点开发软件系统与人工智能技术。
司令部采办负责人史密斯表示：“我决定根据《国防战略》要求对特种作战部队SOF（采办、技术与后勤）进行改组”，首先是设立“特种作战部队数字应用的PEO”，以应对特战部队应用人工智能和机器学习面对的短板弱项，称“希望PEO在促进司令部和国防部采办软件包括人工智能和机器学习方面有出色表现。”
新PEO将转而采用一种更注重未来软件开发的方法，将加强与工业界联系，争取支持，为特种作战部队和工业界软件密集型数字应用提供“一站式”服务，促进其技术与能力共享。
为此, 特种作战部队软件相关部门将集中采用全新方法。
计划包括： 分布式通用地面系统-特种作战部队; 任务指令/当前操作画面; 战术进攻核心装备; 特种作战任务规划与执行; 特种作战部队规划计划、训练演习和执行准备; 以及特种作战部队数字生态系统。
Special Operations Command is reorganizing to focus on software and AI
Special Operations Command has formally created a new program executive office that is dedicated to software June 1.
The command’s head of acquisitions said the organization is reorganizing as it shifts its focus to software-defined systems and artificial intelligence.
“I have made the decision to reorganize SOF (Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics) slightly in respect to the National Defense Strategy,” said James Smith, the command’s acquisition executive. “The first thing we did was decide to stand up a PEO for SOF Digital Applications.”
Smith acknowledged the decision was made in response to shortcomings when it comes to developing artificial intelligence and machine learning for Special Forces applications.
“The idea that the SOF acquisition force sucks when it comes to artificial intelligence and machine learning–okay, guilty … this is our major effort to get better, to build competency,” said Smith. “I am looking to this PEO to start to lead us and lead the Department of Defense in excellence in acquisition of software to include artificial intelligence and machine learning.”
The new PEO represents a shift for the command as it looks to embrace a more software-forward approach.
“Everything I’ve asked you for over the last decade has been hardware defined and then software enabled,” Smith told members of industry. “We really need to move to a relationship where I’m asking you for things that are software defined and hardware enabled.”
Army Col. Paul Weizer, who was originally brought in to lead PEO Rotary Wing, was tapped to lead the new office, and he said he’s looking for all the help from industry he can get.
“Right now, my structure is in Jell-O,” Weizer said at the virtual Special Operations Forces Industry Conference. “If you’ve always had some burning issue or nagging concern about how the organization is structured and how you’re able to interact, what you’re able to do to interact and there’s always been something you wanted, this is the time. Contact me and my office. I have an opportunity to change and shape and form this organization.”
The new office aspires to become the “one-stop shop” for software intensive digital applications for special operations forces and industry to share what capabilities they can provide.
To achieve that, SOF offices that are “software intensive” will be folded into the new approach, Weizer said.
These programs include the Distributed Common Ground System-SOF; Mission Command/Current Operating Picture; Tactical Assault Kit-Core; Special Operations Mission Planning and Execution; SOF Planning, Rehearsal, and Execution Preparation; and the SOF Digital Ecosystem.
Weizer said he expects SDA to reach initial operating capability in 60 to 90 days. Following that milestone, SDA will hold industry days.
The office will continue to operate in Tampa, Fla., with satellite offices in Fort Belvoir, Va. and Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va.
Weizer also said that he does not expect the technical workforce to be made up primarily of active-duty military. Instead, he said that SDA will serve as program managers and contract out development to industry.
In the meantime, his biggest challenge will be finding talent well-versed in software procurement to join the ranks of SDA. In his senior ranks, he’s looking for people who want to help out.
“I’m looking for the individual who’s already made too much money and has been successful in software and really wants to help out the SOF community,” Weizer said. “If you’re that individual that’s ready to take one for the team, come give me a call.”
He is also keen to meet with contractors that do not typically work in the defense industry but might have innovative ideas for the new office.
“[If] you have some … great banking algorithm and now you also think it might help find terrorists, I’d like to know that. I’d like to see that,” Weizer said.
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