Navy and Marine Corps Artificial Intelligence Efforts Span Wide Areas

Previously, I highlighted several Air Force efforts to develop and deploy Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) to gain operational advantages across numerous areas. Today, I will look at the Department of the Navy (DON), including the U.S. Marine Corps, and their ongoing efforts to develop and integrate AI capabilities to increase both effectiveness and efficiencies as they continue to pursue greater integrated joint operations and seek to build the future force.

Looking at the Department of the Navy’s FY 2024 budget request, especially their Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) budget, as well as DON IT-related actions and policy developments over the last year or so, several AI-related observations and efforts come into view. Some of the AI efforts underway at the Navy include:

• Multi-Domain Operations Empowerment: Project Overmatch, the Navy’s multi-domain operations initiative is aimed at delivering a more lethal, better-connected future fleet. The effort is integrating AI and ML capabilities and connecting warfighting platforms, weapons systems and sensors together. This approach results in a robust Naval Operational Architecture that integrates with the DOD's Joint All Domain Command and Control (JADC2) construct for enhanced Distributed Maritime Operations.
• AI for Unmanned Systems: The Navy’s Task Force 59 has been working with the 4th and 5th fleets to integrate AI into unmanned ships and systems across operational and geographic domains, built on a strategy of manned and unmanned systems working together. The intent is to stretch resources and add coverage to geographic hotspots. These and other efforts stem from the Navy’s Unmanned Campaign Framework, which emphasizes that the service must invest in AI, data capabilities and the infrastructure required to support successful unmanned systems.
• Future Capabilities Development: The Office of Naval Research’s Future Naval Capabilities (FNC) Advanced Technology Development program supports the Expeditionary Maneuver Warfare (EMW) project with $26M for FY 2024 to develop an AI/ML-based cognitive engine for autonomous Unmanned Undersea Vehicles (UUV). The program’s $62M Information Warfare (IW) project supports the use of AI/ML and advanced analytics to transform command and control decision making.
• Marine Corps Intelligent Robotics: Under a June 2023 update to Force Design 2030, the Marine Corps’ restructuring plan, the Corps is considering a new job field dedicated to intelligent robotics and autonomous systems (IRAS) that could allow Marines to operate faster, more cheaply and at lower risk. By September 2023, the Corps plans to incorporate robotics concepts and applications into its training and education centers and in FY 2024 leadership will develop a personnel strategy to recruit, retain and integrate robotics specialties throughout the Marine Corps.
• AI Helpdesk Agent: During the summer of 2023, the Navy is launching “Amelia,” a new AI-empowered virtual platform that consolidates multiple IT help desks for programs and systems across the Navy and Marine Corps. The digital agent will leverage conversational AI to interact with and help solve issues for over one million users across the Navy.

Keeping up with Navy AI Efforts

In addition to watching for specific AI efforts in the Navy budget, there are other resources available to see what is on the mind of the Navy for AI research, policy and implementation. The Naval Research Laboratory hosts the Navy Center for Applied Research in Artificial Intelligence (NCARAI) as a branch within the NRL’s IT division. NCARAI conducts both basic and applied research and development in AI and a range of related sciences and technologies.

For broader Navy AI news, the DON Chief Information Officer’s (CIO) office publishes a monthly DON CIO Emerging Technologies Newsletter, which includes AI within its scope. (From February through July of 2022, the Navy published a stand-alone DON AI Newsletter, but that has been folded into the ongoing ET publication.) Various Navy commands also release information on their AI efforts. For example, the Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Atlantic has been highlighting their exploration of AI capabilities.

Small businesses have plenty of opportunities to participate. To develop and leverage these emerging technologies, the Navy will continue to look to innovative small businesses and other partners to bring new AI capabilities to bear on the department’s multifaceted operations.

Of course, GovWin members can track upcoming AI and other contract opportunities as part of their GovWin IQ subscription.

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For more information on Navy and other federal AI-related policy, acquisition and technology initiatives impacting contractor opportunities, see Deltek’s report, Federal Artificial Intelligence Landscape, 2024.