Project Convergence 2022 web portal links industry, academia to Army

By Argie Sarantinos, DEVCOM Public AffairsSeptember 17, 2021

A Soldier secures landing equipment on a Grey Eagle autonomous weapons system during Project Convergence 20, a demonstration of modernized warfare capabilities at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona, September 17, 2020.
A Soldier secures landing equipment on a Grey Eagle autonomous weapons system during Project Convergence 20, a demonstration of modernized warfare capabilities at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona, September 17, 2020. (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Mark Barnett) VIEW ORIGINAL

Planning a large-scale Army exercise requires teamwork and collaboration. The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command, or DEVCOM, is part of a team of teams working together to plan Project Convergence 2022.

Project Convergence is the Army’s campaign of learning, experimentation and demonstration aimed at aggressively integrating the Army’s weapons systems and command and control systems with those of the rest of the Joint Force.

To prepare for the Army’s third iteration of Project Convergence, three DEVCOM Science & Technology-Integration Divisions — Partnerships, Experimentation and Data Analytics — were instrumental in developing a web portal where industry, academia and the general public can submit innovative technologies and partner with DEVCOM to develop solutions to challenging Army problems.

"This project was truly a team effort with DEVCOM S&T-I and G-6, AFC HQ, and the DEVCOM Centers/ARL working together to conceive and develop the PC 22 portal. This new, outward facing portal streamlines the industry, academia and non-standard partners’ process, increasing both our efficiency at reviewing submissions and responsiveness to our partners. The speed with which the portal was put in place is representative of the importance that we place on our relationship with industry as a critical DEVCOM/AFC partner," said Collier Slade, director, S&T-I Partnerships Division.
An Army autonomous weapons system known as “Origin” maneuvers through desert terrain as weapons testing commences during Project Convergence 20 at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona, August 25, 2020.
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – An Army autonomous weapons system known as “Origin” maneuvers through desert terrain as weapons testing commences during Project Convergence 20 at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona, August 25, 2020. (Photo Credit: Spc. Carlos Cuebas Fantauzzi) VIEW ORIGINAL
Project Origin, a technology demonstrator for the Small Multipurpose Equipment Transport vehicle and the Robotic Combat Vehicle was used at Project Convergence 20. New technology is quickly integrated onto the demonstrator during experimentations where Soldiers provide feedback to inform Soldier Centered design.
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Project Origin, a technology demonstrator for the Small Multipurpose Equipment Transport vehicle and the Robotic Combat Vehicle was used at Project Convergence 20. New technology is quickly integrated onto the demonstrator during experimentations where Soldiers provide feedback to inform Soldier Centered design. (Photo Credit: Tom Faulkner) VIEW ORIGINAL

The solution submission portal welcomes industry, academia and non-traditional partners to collaborate with the Army by submitting solutions in various collaboration areas. Submissions are open through December 1, 2021: Solutions Submission.

Gen. John M. Murray, AFC commanding general, led a virtual PC round table with industry in June, 2021, where he shared AFC’s vision and commitment to partner with industry, academia and the public. Participants also learned what challenges the Army is aiming to solve through PC 22, and how they can engage with AFC to provide potential solutions. Key technology areas for PC 22 include artificial intelligence/machine learning, autonomy, robotics, common data standards and architectures that will enhance decision speed and multi-domain maneuver at the joint tactical edge, while reducing risk.

DEVCOM works closely with its extensive network of industry, academia and non-traditional partners through various avenues, including Cooperative Research and Development Agreements and Other Transaction Agreements. A CRADA is an agreement between one or more federal laboratories and one or more non-federal parties to provide personnel, facilities, equipment or other resources to conduct specific research consistent with the mission of the laboratory. OTAs enable industry and academia to conduct research and prototype activities.

An Extended Range/Multipurpose Unmanned Aircraft System returns from functional testing during Project Convergence 20 at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona, September 15, 2020.
An Extended Range/Multipurpose Unmanned Aircraft System returns from functional testing during Project Convergence 20 at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona, September 15, 2020. (Photo Credit: Patrick Enright) VIEW ORIGINAL

The Army is demonstrating technologies to gather information to ensure joint warfighters have the best capabilities for future battles. Project Convergence is the Army’s priority modernization project and represents a centerpiece of the Army’s transformational change in warfighting. A key part of DEVCOM’s core mission is to provide research, development and engineering expertise to demonstrate near- mid- and far-term technology to support multi-domain operations.

“DEVCOM S&T experimentation plays a crucial role in testing hypothesis and technologies, while evolving warfighting capabilities in support of current and future Army concepts and formations. Our Experimentation Division is a trailblazing team of SMEs who synchronize DEVCOM S&T across the Army modernization enterprise, and, most importantly, integrate lessons learned and experience from Soldiers into the Army’s future force,” said Richard Deoliveira, operations chief, Experimentation, S&TI directorate

DEVCOM is part of a team of teams that is planning PC 22, which will include joint, Australian and UK partners. To learn more about PC 22: https://armyfuturescommand.com/convergence/