Air Force Department Seeks White Papers for AI, Distributed C2

The Department of the Air Force is seeking technologies that support artificial intelligence and distributed command and control capabilities.

According to a DAF broad agency announcement, white papers about AI systems command and control; federated, composable autonomy and AI toolboxes; advanced wargaming agents; interactive learning for C4I; generative AI for C4I; software-defined, distributed C2; and tactical AI will be accepted and reviewed. The white papers could help make AI a key component for future C2 systems, according to the department.

Organizations interested in securing research and development funding for the fiscal year 2024 have until Sept. 13 to submit their white papers. The BAA will be open until Aug. 30, 2028, with funding to be issued until FY 2028, DefenseScoop reported.

The BAA comes amid multiple efforts across the U.S. military to take advantage of AI.

In mid-August, the U.S. Army sought industry feedback on AI bills of materials, which highlights the digital makeup and supply chain sources of third-party algorithms and applications. Young Bang, principal deputy assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics and technology, said the AI BOMs concept is designed to strengthen cybersecurity and protect supply chains.

In June, DAF chief data and AI officer Eileen Vidrine said her team started developing strategies to manage data and AI across all mission areas.