Back to news

June 8, 2020 | International, C4ISR

Special Operations Command is reorganizing to focus on software and AI

and

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.

https://www.c4isrnet.com/it-networks/2020/06/05/special-operations-command-is-reorganizing-to-focus-on-software-and-ai/

On the same subject

  • Armasuisse a signé le contrat d’acquisition du système SkyView de Thales 

    April 9, 2021 | International, Aerospace

    Armasuisse a signé le contrat d’acquisition du système SkyView de Thales 

    DÉFENSE Air & Cosmos rappelle que la Suisse a choisi le système français SkyView de Thales dans le cadre de son programme « C2Air » qui vise à remplacer les sous-systèmes Ralus (système radar de situation aérienne) et Lunas (système de message de situation aérienne) dans le cadre de son système existant de surveillance aérienne et de contrôle des opérations des forces aériennes. Après une phase d'évaluation lors de laquelle trois systèmes différents ont été testés, armasuisse (Office fédéral de l'armement) avait opté, le 19 septembre 2019 pour le système SkyView. Le Parlement avait approuvé l'acquisition de ce système dans le cadre du message sur l'armée 2020. Le contrat d'acquisition avec le constructeur français a été signé début avril 2021. La réalisation interviendra dans les centres de calcul du DDPS (Département fédéral de la défense, de la protection de la population et des sports). Son introduction commencera aux alentours de 2025. Air & Cosmos du 9 avril

  • Cyberattack risk poses biggest threat to airports, aviation

    September 12, 2018 | International, C4ISR

    Cyberattack risk poses biggest threat to airports, aviation

    Ben Goldstein A senior official from Tampa International Airport (TPA) told US lawmakers the risk of cyberattack “without question represents the preeminent and persistent threat” to global aviation. The comments came during a Sept. 6 joint hearing of the House Homeland Security Committee's Cybersecurity and Transportation Security subcommittees, held to examine cyber threats to aviation. “In today's modern and technologically advanced airports, there are virtually no areas or functions that do not rely at some level on a digital network,” TPA EVP-IT and general counsel Michael Stephens said. “The operational importance of these systems ... makes airports immensely appealing targets and potentially vulnerable to malicious cyber threats, such as criminal organizations and state sponsored actors.” In his testimony, Stephens said US airports have reached a point “where voluntary compliance is no longer adequate,” and asked lawmakers to consider mandating the adoption of “uniform minimum cyber security standards and frameworks.” He also said the “human factor remains the most highly exploited vector” for breaching cyber defenses, and threat awareness and information security training programs for airport, airlines and aviation industry employees are “perhaps one of the most effective and cost-efficient ways of increasing airports' and airlines' cybersecurity readiness.” Lawmakers also heard from Christopher Porter, chief intelligence strategist at cybersecurity group FireEye, Inc., who testified that state-backed hackers are “routinely” targeting the US aviation industry through cyberespionage to steal industrial secrets from manufacturers, researchers and operators of military and civilian aircraft. Porter called cyberespionage the “most common cyber threat facing the aviation industry,” and said that hackers sponsored by China, Russia and more recently Iran have all “targeted the US or its close allies for theft of aviation secrets.” All three countries also routinely target ticketing and traveler data, shipping schedules and even partner industries like railways or hotels as part of their counterintelligence efforts, Porter added. However, Porter reminded lawmakers that, because cyber-espionage is routine, “it should not be viewed as destabilizing.” “When cyberespionage operators get a foothold on a system, they can often use that access for stealing information or to launch a disabling or destructive attack using the same technology,” Porter said. “But they rarely choose to do so, and in the US, there are significant redundancies in place to ensure safety. A crashed IT system does not mean a crashed plane, and it's important for the public to keep that in mind.” http://atwonline.com/security/cyberattack-risk-poses-biggest-threat-airports-aviation

  • National Cybersecurity Strategy is a North Star for federal agencies

    March 23, 2023 | International, C4ISR

    National Cybersecurity Strategy is a North Star for federal agencies

    Many government agencies still rely on legacy IT systems that are costly to maintain and difficult to defend, the author says.

All news