Acquisition Integration and Interoperability (AI2)

The Acquisition Integration and Interoperability (AI2) program, under the Office of the Secretary of Defense, aims to establish a robust acquisition infrastructure that supports the delivery of integrated joint, system-of-systems capabilities. This initiative focuses on creating policies, forums, and processes to enhance defense capabilities by leveraging Military Department and service-specific system acquisitions. One of its primary objectives is to drive the adoption of threat-based mission thread analysis, which informs acquisition, resourcing, and requirements decisions. Additionally, AI2 supports acquisition portfolio reviews to guide resourcing and enterprise decisions effectively.

AI2 institutionalizes lessons learned from the Department’s Competitive Advantage Pathfinders (CAP) and Integrated Acquisition Portfolio Reviews (IAPR). It aligns service-specific system acquisition programs, prototypes, and Science and Technology (S&T) projects to deliver joint integrated capabilities. The program conducts studies and analyses to govern processes across the Defense Acquisition System, integrating and aligning portfolios across their lifecycle from Services, OSD Components, and Combatant Commands (COCOMs). Furthermore, AI2 seeks to remove regulatory barriers that hinder leveraging service-unique acquisitions for joint requirements.

In fiscal year 2025, AI2 plans to enable the delivery of integrated defense capabilities by focusing on several key areas. These include Integrated Acquisition Portfolio Reviews to assess acquisition health across various portfolios and Counter-C5ISRT efforts for pacing threats. The program also emphasizes Joint Long-Range Fires interoperability requirements to align capabilities across Services and address kill chain gaps. Additionally, AI2 supports capability acquisition for Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control (CJADC2), aiming for centralized command and control while ensuring effective cross-service integration.

The transition of resources from a previous program element highlights AI2's distinct mission from software pilot programs. By creating a separate program element in fiscal year 2025, transparency is enhanced. This change reflects an increased focus on integrating complex mission applications and cross-weapons systems within the Department's strategic objectives as outlined in the 2022 National Defense Strategy.