The U.S. Army is seeking innovative proposals for the development of a Generative AI Enabled Tactical Network under the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program, topic A254-019. This funding opportunity is aimed at developing a modeling and simulation environment using Generative AI to support the Next Generation Command and Control (NGC2) program. NGC2 is part of the Army’s modernization effort to build a data-centric Command and Control (C2) system that enhances battlefield decision-making through adaptive network architecture.

The primary objective of this project is to create realistic tactical data streams that represent threat forces, blue force (friendly units), and logistics operations in a contested environment. These data streams should be generated at scale and based on realistic models that account for terrain, routes, pacing, and elevation, rather than arbitrary placement. Additionally, the project seeks to simulate a Degraded, Disrupted, Intermittent, and Limited (DDIL) network environment by modeling data exchange limitations and bandwidth constraints.

A critical component of this funding opportunity is its connection to the xTechIgnite prize competition. Only small businesses that win the xTechIgnite competition will be eligible to submit proposals for this SBIR Phase I award. Other submissions will not be evaluated. Interested applicants should review the xTechIgnite competition details available at xTechIgnite Competition.

In Phase I, selected firms will receive up to $250,000 for a six-month period to conduct a feasibility study. This study should define how a software system could generate tactically relevant data through an API. The software should provide user-configurable features that allow for adjusting data volume, velocity, and disruptions to simulate real-world network challenges. The feasibility study must also address deployment options for use in both LAN and cloud environments.

If successful, Phase II will involve the actual development and delivery of the software prototype. The application should allow users to toggle data generation settings, interrupt data flow, and define key attributes such as data types, size, and format. The system should also support adaptive AI-driven ontologies for realistic data synthesis.

The technology developed under this SBIR topic has potential dual-use applications beyond military settings. Commercial industries that could benefit from synthetic data generation using Generative AI include financial services (market modeling and risk assessment), healthcare and life sciences (drug research and patient simulations), and autonomous vehicles (real-world AI training for self-driving systems).

The application deadline for this funding opportunity is July 9, 2025, with the earliest submission date being June 12, 2025. Given the exclusive nature of this opportunity, businesses must first participate in the xTechIgnite competition to be considered for funding. The technical point of contact (TPOC) for this grant is Upesh Patel, who can be reached at upesh.g.patel.civ@army.mil for further inquiries.