Forge Institute, AFRL advancing cyber resilience, intelligence

Forge Institute, a leader in private-public partnerships for national defense, has entered into a multi-year Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the Information Directorate of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). This strategic alliance will focus on the advancement of analytic techniques for publicly available information (PAI), which are integral to enhancing the Air Force's cyber resilience and intelligence capabilities. This could potentially reshape the landscape of future Air Force multi-domain operations.

This initiative aligns with the U.S. Military Strategy, which prioritizes PAI and artificial intelligence (AI) to maintain a strategic advantage across all domains of warfare. As global threats evolve, integrating PAI analytics with machine learning and pattern recognition will help refine intelligence gathering, optimize decision-making, and improve national security efforts.

The project will involve key collaborations with the Arkansas Air National Guard's 188th Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group (188th ISRG) at Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Colonel Michael Martin, commander of the 188th ISRG, affirmed that associations like the one with the Forge Institute give the Air Force the opportunity to leverage next-gen digital tools like robotic process automation, AI, and cloud capabilities to improve analytic methods.

“Private-public collaborations, like the one with Forge Institute, are essential for offering state-of-the-art capabilities to Arkansas' military missions,” says Brigadier General Olen C. Bridges, the Arkansas Adjutant General. “We're always looking for a competitive advantage on the ground, in the air, or in cyberspace to provide leaders the best information for decision making. Partnerships like these are what makes the Arkansas National Guard the premier destination for Arkansas' best and brightest minds.”

As part of the CRADA, the Air Force and the Forge Institute will share their expertise in PAI analytics to understand and develop advanced analytic methods, thereby integrating training, AI, and next-gen cloud capabilities.

“This CRADA with the AFRL will spark innovative exchanges that support our warfighters and stimulate economic growth in Arkansas,” says Lee Watson, Chairman and CEO of Forge Institute. “We're proud to serve the United States Air Force and the Intelligence Community in advancing capabilities for national security.”

By combining cutting-edge technology with mission-driven collaboration, Forge Institute continues to play a pivotal role in strengthening America's cyber resilience and defense readiness.