FORT BELVOIR, Va. – Last month the Army officially activated the Capability Program Executive Office for Mission Autonomy, in a ceremony at the U.S. Army National Museum. Presiding over the ceremony was the Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Maneuver Air, Maj. Gen. Clair Gill.
Gill kicked off the event by remarking on the newly established CPE Mission Autonomy’s mission and its eventual impact across the Army.
“CPE Mission Autonomy is working to revolutionize U.S. Army operations, and by extension the very art of maneuver,” said Gill. “Teams from across the CPE are set to work with every portfolio in our Army.”
CPE Mission Autonomy is preparing to transform military operations by developing interconnected unmanned systems that can operate autonomously. Gill went on to discuss the benefits of developing autonomous platforms and the potential to revolutionize planning tools, ground vehicles, and unmanned systems, among others.
“The technological advancement created by CPE Mission Autonomy will impact the life of every soldier and provide our Army with a much-needed edge in the future fight,” said Gill.
Taking the helm of CPE Mission Autonomy is Brig. Gen. Anthony Gibbs, who is tasked with leading the organization into a future where the global battlefield is rapidly shifting.
“We are living in a time of unprecedented technological change where the character of warfare is changing right before our eyes,” said Gibbs. “To maintain our edge, we must not only keep pace but set the pace. This organization is our commitment to doing just that.”
Gibbs also emphasized the organization’s commitment to taking care of the Army’s number one resource – the men and women that make up its force.
“Ultimately, our mission is about one person – and that’s the American Soldier – the centerpiece of what we do,” said Gibbs.
As the centerpiece of what CPE Mission Autonomy does, a primary goal is to take soldiers out of harm’s way when possible and help them be a more effective force on the battlefield. Gibbs highlighted
multiple situations for which the CPE is looking at applying autonomous platforms, such as conducting reconnaissance, delivering smoke, and cueing suppressive fires in support of a fully autonomous breaching operation.
“We envision a future where these operations could be done without the humans in those dangerous situations,” said Gibbs. “Our aim is not to replace them but to empower them. It’s about reducing their cognitive load and providing them with force-multiplying capabilities that allow them to dominate any adversary on any battlefield.”
To provide our Soldiers with overmatch to dominate on the battlefield, the delivery of cutting-edge technologies and capabilities must accelerate. This is where partnerships with industry will prove vital, as the Army aims to revolutionize and streamline the acquisition process.
One example of this partnership on display is the upcoming CPE Mission Autonomy Industry Day. Held in Arlington, Va, this event allows industry leaders and Army stakeholders an opportunity to foster collaboration and innovation. Click here for more information on this event.
By Ashley John
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