Armaments Research Company, Inc. (ARC) has been granted a $950 million contract by the US Air Force for the advancement of the Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS).
This contract aims to enhance Joint All Domain Command and Control (JADC2) by leveraging open systems design, modern software, and algorithm development across various platforms and domains.
LECHFELD, GERMANY - JUNE 9: A Fairchild A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft, of the US AIr Force (USAF) takes off at Lechfeld airbase during a media event prior to the Air Defender 2023 military exercises on June 9, 2023 in Lechfeld, Germany.
US Air Force and ARC Contract
The contract provides ARC and other awardees the opportunity to compete for efforts in seven different competitive pools that support the development and operation of systems as a unified force across all domains: air, land, sea, space, cyber, and the electromagnetic spectrum.
The goal is to create an open architecture family of systems that enables capabilities through multiple integrated platforms. Michael Canty, the CEO of ARC, expressed enthusiasm for the contract, highlighting the potential benefits of ABMS in connecting ground warfighters to aerial support more efficiently, thereby reducing sensor-to-shooter timelines.
He noted that the ABMS contract represents an expansion of ARC's involvement in the US Army's JADC2 initiative, Project Convergence, providing an opportunity to enhance coordination across military services and break down information silos.
Established in 2016, ARC is a privately-owned technology firm based in Washington, D.C., specializing in top-secret-cleared operations. A team of technology experts and combat-tested military veterans leads the company.
ARC's original solutions were developed with sponsorship from DARPA and the National Science Foundation, utilizing cutting-edge Internet of Things (IoT) and machine learning (ML) technologies.
These advancements enable ARC to transform weapons into information nodes or 'sensors,' empowering Commanders with advanced real-time decision support capabilities.
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New Horizons
The ABMS contract opens up new horizons for ARC and its mission to revolutionize military operations through advanced technology solutions. With a focus on JADC2, the company seeks to enhance the seamless integration of various domains, fostering a more agile and effective joint command and control system.
By leveraging modern software, algorithm development, and open systems design, ARC aims to pave the way for enhanced military capabilities across platforms and domains.
The competitive nature of the multiple-award Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity contract ensures that future work will be subjected to the Fair Opportunity process, encouraging continuous innovation and providing the best solutions are implemented for Joint All Domain Command and Control.
"ABMS offers an opportunity to securely connect ground warfighters to necessary aerial support, reducing sensor-to-shooter timelines. The US Air Force's ABMS IDIQ represents an expansion of our participation in the US Army's JADC2 initiative, Project Convergence," Michael Canty, ARC's CEO, said in a statement.
"It's a chance for ARC to streamline coordination across military services and break down information silos. We couldn't be prouder of the potential impact," he added.
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