Acquisition Integration and Interoperability (AI2)

The Acquisition Integration and Interoperability (AI2) program, managed by the Office of the Secretary of Defense under Program Element (PE) 0605649D8Z, is designed to establish a lasting acquisition infrastructure that delivers integrated, joint, system-of-systems capabilities across the Department of Defense (DoD). The primary objective is to develop policies, forums, and processes that enable the seamless delivery of integrated defense capabilities. AI2 leverages Military Department and service-specific system acquisition, focusing on threat-based mission thread analysis to inform acquisition, resourcing, and requirements decisions. The program also supports acquisition portfolio reviews to guide resourcing and enterprise-level decisions.

A key goal of AI2 is to institutionalize lessons learned from previous initiatives such as the Department's Competitive Advantage Pathfinders and Integrated Acquisition Portfolio Reviews. By aligning service-specific system acquisition programs, prototypes, and Science and Technology projects, AI2 aims to deliver joint integrated capabilities that address evolving operational requirements. The program executes studies, analyses, and pathfinding efforts to govern processes across the Defense Acquisition System. It integrates and aligns portfolios and programs throughout their lifecycle, involving Services, Office of the Secretary of Defense components, and Combatant Commands.

The AI2 Project specifically focuses on creating enduring infrastructure, tools, and processes for Service and OSD teams to better integrate system-of-systems capabilities. One of its objectives is to remove regulatory and institutional barriers that hinder the leveraging of service-unique acquisitions for joint requirements. The project supports contracted services for analysis and subject matter expertise, utilizing commercial vendors and University Affiliated Research Centers through competed contracts and task orders, as well as Federally Funded Research and Development Centers.

For FY 2025, AI2's planned activities include enabling the delivery of integrated defense capabilities by leveraging Military Department and service-specific system acquisition, and driving the adoption of threat-based mission thread analysis. The program will support acquisition portfolio reviews to drive resourcing and enterprise decisions, with efforts spanning multiple mission applications, acquisition programs, experimental prototypes, and cross-weapons integration. These activities encompass policy development, governance models, data integration, technical development, program management, and operational integration, consistent with the AI2 charter established by the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment.

Among the specific focus areas for FY 2025 and FY 2026 are Integrated Acquisition Portfolio Reviews, which assess the health of various acquisition portfolios to drive timely and effective solutions. The program also supports Counter-C5ISRT efforts for pacing threats, integrating and aligning the Department's portfolios and governance bodies in domains such as Cyber and Electronic Warfare. Another priority is Joint Long-Range Fires, which involves defining interoperability requirements to align capabilities across the Services and address gaps in the kill chain. Additionally, AI2 is tasked with capability acquisition for Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control, focusing on centralized command and control and effective cross-service integration.

The program's accomplishments and planned activities are intended to build a resilient and integrated joint force, supporting iterative portfolio reviews, threat-based analysis, and integration of governance and acquisition for Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control. The decrease in funding from FY 2025 to FY 2026 is primarily attributed to the removal of a Congressional Add, with minor adjustments for inflation. AI2 represents a strategic investment in the DoD's ability to deliver integrated capabilities by aligning acquisition processes, removing barriers, and institutionalizing best practices across the enterprise.