TLDR: The U.S. Army has issued a Request for Information (RFI) seeking artificial intelligence and machine learning solutions to manage increasingly complex airspace. This initiative aims to reduce the cognitive burden on commanders, improve situational awareness, and optimize airspace allocation in environments crowded with drones, loitering munitions, and autonomous platforms. The RFI, released on August 6, 2025, calls for both immediate ‘fight tonight’ capabilities and long-term innovations, with responses due by August 29, 2025.
The United States Army is actively pursuing cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) solutions to revolutionize its airspace management capabilities. This strategic move comes in response to the escalating complexity of modern battlefields, which are increasingly populated by a diverse array of manned and unmanned aerial systems, including drones, loitering munitions, and autonomous platforms, alongside traditional aircraft and electronic warfare elements.
On August 6, 2025, the Army released a comprehensive Request for Information (RFI) to industry, signaling an urgent need for technologies that can alleviate the significant cognitive burden placed on human commanders. The primary objectives are to enhance real-time situational awareness, optimize airspace allocation, and enable faster, more informed decision-making in contested and multi-domain operational settings.
The RFI outlines two distinct categories of solutions the Army is seeking. The first, termed ‘fight tonight’ capabilities, focuses on mature, deployable technologies that are ready for immediate integration into current operations. These solutions are expected to provide rapid benefits in managing the immediate challenges of a dynamic airspace. The second category targets long-term innovation, seeking advanced AI/ML tools designed to be embedded into next-generation command-and-control systems, ensuring future readiness and adaptability.
Key capabilities desired by the Army include the ability to leverage machine learning, predictive analytics, and automation to analyze diverse real-time data sources. This includes forecasting airspace usage patterns, providing proactive recommendations for improved mission safety and efficiency, and facilitating real-time conflict detection and resolution. The integration of various aerial assets, including Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), loitering munitions, and autonomous platforms, into the Army’s airspace management framework is a critical goal. Furthermore, the Army seeks solutions that offer resilience against countermeasures, such as electronic warfare and jamming.
This initiative directly addresses several pressing challenges faced by the Army, including the complexities of multi-domain operations, the proliferation of new aerial platforms, operations in contested and congested environments, dynamic mission requirements, and the intricate integration of fires and effects. By embracing AI, the Army aims to transition from reactive data processing to proactive strategic decision-making.
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Vendors with relevant solutions are invited to respond to the RFI by August 29, 2025. The Army also plans to evaluate selected technologies during live demonstrations, with a potential event scheduled for November at the Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center (JPMRC) Exercise 26-01. The ultimate goal is to deliver a minimum viable product (MVP) for AI-enhanced airspace management that is operationally ready for deployment with the 25th Infantry Division by November 2025, specifically addressing the unique challenges of managing UAS in contested and congested airspace.
