The Army Seeks Business Advice on AI Supply Chain Security for Project Linchpin
The Army is reaching out to the business community for guidance on addressing potential vulnerabilities in the AI supply chain for Project Linchpin, the military branch’s inaugural system of record. This initiative aims to establish a robust pipeline for artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities.
Under the leadership of the Army’s Program Executive Office for Intelligence, Electronic Warfare, and Cameras, Project Linchpin seeks to create an environment for AI/ML operations within knowledge, digital, and electronic warfare systems. Recently, the program issued two requests for information related to an Artificial “bill of components” and machine vision skills.
The AI Bill of Materials (BOM) concept, introduced by Young Bang, the Army’s principal deputy assistant secretary for consolidation, logistics, and technologies, mirrors the security measures applied to software supply chains. As the Army strives to keep pace with China in the AI domain, the development of AI BOMs becomes imperative.
The AI BOM comprises three key components, as outlined in the recent RFI:
- S-BOM: This section details the components’ facts and their supply chain relationships essential for evaluating AI designs, including educational data and data lineage.
- Information Request: The Army solicits industry input on the cost implications of constructing an AI BOM, the necessary tools and processes for AI integration into the AI/MLOps pipeline, the effectiveness of such integration, and alternative approaches to mitigate supply chain risks.
Furthermore, the Army plans to collaborate with the Pentagon’s Chief Digital and AI Office to enhance computer vision capabilities for object identification using specific datasets. These datasets include motion videos from ground combat vehicle sensors and satellite imagery.
Industry input is also sought on coaching models, requisite skill sets, team structures for model delivery, and associated costs. Booz Allen Hamilton and Red Hat have been awarded a contract to support Project Linchpin research efforts, focusing on the Traceability, Observability-Replaceable-and-Consumption framework to ensure data integrity, openness, and modular system architecture design.
In conclusion, Col. Chris Anderson, the project director for knowledge systems and analytics, emphasized the significance of this agreement in advancing AI capabilities within the military. By leveraging industry expertise and adhering to robust design principles, the Army aims to optimize its AI systems for enhanced operational effectiveness.
