UF secures $4.7 million Air Force contract to advance AI-driven decision-making in modern warfare
In its continuing partnership with the U.S. Air Force, the University of Florida has entered into a contract to develop and deploy an artificial intelligence and machine learning system to enhance end-to-end campaign analysis and decisions making in modern warfare.
The $4.7 million contract, performed in Florida Applied Research in Engineering’s (FLARE’s) REEF Campus based facility, enhances UF Engineering’s presence and mission at Eglin Air Force base in Florida’s Panhandle.
Central to the contract, UF researchers will embed with the government software development team and utilize advanced AI models and essential data sets to improve the Munitions Requirement Process (MRP) for real-time and predictive results to advance the Department of the Air Forces’ operational effectiveness. The goal is to expand the capabilities of current operations using machine learning (ML) and AI technologies to better inform critical decisions.
The partnership is a boon for both parties. For the U.S. Air Force, this contract provides top notch researchers enhancing the application of cutting-edge AI research. For UF, it is a significant workforce development opportunity for engineering faculty to experience leading-edge product development while embedded with Department of Defense personnel in their development environment.
“The partnership will provide UF faculty hands-on experience with real-world projects, enhancing skills and preparing for future careers in defense and technology sectors,” according to the proposal submitted by Richard L. Vigeant, director of UF’s Florida Applied Research in Engineering (FLARE) and the Research & Engineering Education Facility (REEF) Campus near Eglin AFB.
It is designed to establish a continual exchange of ideas and innovation, particularly with the USAF’s Disruptive Futures Division EmeraldCode Software Factory (ECSF). AI/ML subject matter and security experts of the University of Florida team will integrate with ECSF to develop intelligent software capable of learning from data and making accurate predictions while providing essential security support for the mission.
“The essential partnership with UF machine learning engineers leverages AI/ML to rapidly advance campaign analysis capabilities, accelerating strategic development efforts across the Weapons Enterprise. This collaboration enhances effective decision-making at scale in contested environments by delivering modern, user-friendly capabilities. Ultimately, this partnership cultivates innovative armament concepts and sharpens cutting-edge technologies, ensuring warfighters have the tools they need to deter and defeat threats anywhere in the world.” said Colonel Jesse Moreno Disruptive Futures Division Chief.
The Disruptive Futures Division is a hub that cultivates new armament concepts by assembling top researchers from all sectors to design and sharpen technology for use in armed conflict.
“Machine learning is expanding ECSF’s capabilities, bridging the data analysis gap between legacy and new weapon systems, leveraging advanced models to inform strategic decisions, support Combatant Commanders, and drive exciting new possibilities,” added Jill Wright, ECSF Lead Engineer.
"Now in its second month of the four-year contract, the team is ramping up research and development,” said Vigeant.
UF engineers, Vigeant said, will work closely with data-science experts, managers and stakeholders to identify concerns and use large language models (LLMs), continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines to “improve the development processes for maximum efficiency, accuracy, security and compliance to optimize end-to-end campaign management and decision making in modern warfare.”
There are members of UF’s FLARE team working on this project, from project leadership to engineering to security.
An extension of the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering – and originally established as the Graduate Engineering Research Center on Eglin Air Force Base in 1969 – the UF REEF in Shalimar was constructed in 1995.
In addition to supporting the needs of the warfighter, REEF and FLARE missions aim to foster and sustain partnerships with the private, academic and public sectors to help grow the region’s innovative economy.